in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out
held up, took closer order 5th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
chased leaders, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
always going well behind leaders, led on bit 2 out, soon clear, easily
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, eased run-in
held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on
held up, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but not pace of winner
prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, eased run-in
Could it be yet another win for Paul Nicholls as our vote goes to Goblet Of Fire ahead of De Blanc, Candarli and Grouse Moor? The selection showed good form in the early part of the season and was a good second Taunton at the end of December form today's mark. He might have disappointing last time but a tongue tie has now been fitted and, if he returns to his best, should run a big race. De Blanc looked good when scoring twice in December and, to be fair, ran well when third off today's mark at Doncaster last time, although carrying topweight to victory would be a good effort. Candarli wins in his turn and is only five pounds higher now than the mark he won from at Newbury in November. He's been disappointing in his last two runs, but this course and distance winner, who has Timmy Murphy back on board, should go well. Grouse Moor, who won at Plumpton from a 22 pound-lower mark at Plumpton in November, ran respectably from his revised mark last time, and Duke Of Buckingham is well-weighted based on his chasing form, although he has yet to win a handicap hurdle. Handy Money is four-pounds higher than the mark he won from in March 2003, but he has not raced since November of the same year, and the other pair have been showing their best in sellers of late. This brings us back to Goblet Of Fire. With his stable in good form, he might be yet another winner for leading track trainer Paul Nicholls.
De Blanc (IRE) 6-1 Always prominent, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Bongo Fury at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 20-1 Held up towards rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Great Travel at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Nov.
Goblet of Fire (USA) 9-1 Held up mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened after 3 out, 13th of 21, 20l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
Handy Money 12-1 Took keen hold, held up, mistake 3rd, headway 5th, pressed leaders 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 15, 37l behind Visibility at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Nov '03.
Candarli (IRE) 33-1 Tracked leader until after 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, 31l behind Idole First at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Grouse Moor (USA) 10-1 Held up last, some headway 6th, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Krakow Baba at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Prince of Persia 10-1 Held up in 5th, closed to track leader 8th, led narrowly 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Geography at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Feb.
Blue Leader (IRE) 3-1 Towards rear, ridden 8th, stayed on moderately, 7th of 14, 35l behind East Lawyer at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs.
