prominent, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
led to 3rd, led 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
prominent chased leaders 6th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, led approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, not quicken from last
towards rear, ridden and hit 6th, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden behind leaders 3 out, weakened approachoing 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, ridden and every chance after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, led on bit 2 out, clear last, easily
always towards rear, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
behind, ridden 7th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, reminders 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, kept on one pace from 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
VODKA BROOK, Patton and Regal Approach comprise our short-list in this fiercely competitive handicap. We're happy to take on Peppertree Lane who has yet to hurdle with any fluency and it's only down to his class that he's been able to remain competitive in his races. He could fare better up in trip for his handicap bow but we're happy to pay to find out. Vodka Brook appeals as another that could benefit from the same combination and he's certainly better than he showed at Plumpton on just his second start over hurdles. His bumper form suggests that he's well enough treated with the promise of more to come and we're happy to give the benefit of the doubt to his hurdling form despite it taking a couple of knocks. Patton has had his races well spread out so far so I wouldn't be too put off by his absence and that reappearance was arguably a career best. This sort of test should suit and he's one of the likelier candidates. Regal Approach never really got competitive at Ascot but was beaten under four lengths; prior to that he had kept on well to take third at Sandown and he gives the impression that he's capable of landing one of these if the cards fall right. Cases can be made for a good many more of the twenty one runners but we'll be looking for a bold show from Vodka Brook.
Victorias Groom (GER) 9-4 (10-13) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, went 2nd before 5th, led 7th, hit 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, 3rd and weakening when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
At The Money 14-1 (11-10) Led until 5th, tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakening when switched left approaching last, 10th of 16, 21l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Manmoon (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Led to approaching 4th, challenged 6th, ridden 3 out, led last, hard ridden flat, just held on, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Express Leader (10-12) by a shd, 10 ran.
Bobby Gee 25-1 (10-6) In touch, not fluent 3rd, led and hit 3 out, soon headed, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 13th of 19, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Cathedral Rock (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway 9th, went 4th approaching 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Lordsbridge (USA) 14-1 (10-0) Held up well in rear, still plenty to do when hampered approaching 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on well run in, given too much to do, 4th of 19, 10l behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Rathcor 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hampered 5th, weakened 2 out, 15th of 22, 30l behind Andytown (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Turbulance (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, lost touch before 13th, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 14, 15l behind Michel Le Bon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Patton (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 9th, led 3 out, hit next, headed approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 12l behind Hora (11-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Regal Approach (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 11th, blundered next, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Armenian Boy (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, not fluent next, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Turbulance (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '08.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased leading pair 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression when jumped right last, unable to quicken, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Award Winner (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4).
Billie Magern 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Poseidon's Secret (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 36l behind Olympian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 20-1 (10-9) In rear, not jumped well, no chance from 15th, 8th of 15, 27l behind Mister Apple's (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Bring It On Home 20-1 (11-9) Always behind, 11th of 13, 32l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
No Regrets (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, weakening when jumped left 12th and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Shardakhan (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan '08, 12 ran.
Cashel Blue (USA) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, joined leader 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten and hung left, 4th of 13, 19l behind Brenin Cwmtudu (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Wun Chai (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 15, 29l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Petito (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led, headed after 4 out, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Shore Thing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
