tracked leaders, led 2 out, kept on, driven out
tracked leaders, struggling 7th, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, lost place and outpaced 8th, stayed on again approaching last
with leader, ridden after 8th, kept on same pace from next
held up towards rear, fell 7th
held up towards rear, hit 6th, fell next
led until 5th, tracked leader, led 8th, soon ridden, headed 2 out, close 3rd when pecked last, no extra
pulled hard towards rear, headway after 7th, effort after 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear
held up towards rear, steady progress after 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on flat
in touch until dropped to rear 7th
took fierce hold in rear, hit 4th, headway to lead next, headed approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, shaken up after 8th, headway soon after 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on
Nonrunner
The Real Deal lines up in top form and is taken to complete a hat-trick at the expense of Pevensey, Overstrand and Magic Sky to name but a few in the opener. The Real Deal in truth may have just a bit to find to land this expensive prize, but is on the upgrade, and with Tony McCoy in the saddle again, he may prove to be the answer. The Nick Williams-trained six-year-old beat three subsequent winners over three miles at Chepstow in December, and then showed that he has a turn of foot as well when accounting for the useful Benetwood over shorter at Fontwell next time. In such an open race as this, he must have every chance. Pevensey was successful on the Flat here in September and has taken well to hurdling since joining John Quinn, winning his last two starts. Entered for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, he certainly cannot be discounted, and nor can Overstrand, who showed that he is holding his form well when just beaten in last week's big handicap hurdle at Newbury. Gary Moore won that event with Heathcote who was unconsidered, so it would be no surprise if Nation State were to play a part here either. Magic Sky has been knocking at the door, as has Slew Charm, so this is not that easy to work out, but in the hope that The Real Deal can live up to his name, he is selected.
Overstrand (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-divison, lost place after 5h, ridden and headway after 3 out, every chance from last, held close home, 2nd of 20, nk behind Heathcote (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Supreme Prince (IRE) 7-2fav (10-6) Tracked leader, led 5 out, clear from 4 out, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr beating Edmo Yewkay (10-0) by 16l, 9 ran.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 50-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 20, 18l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
The Real Deal (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) In touch, headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden to lead soon after, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Benetwood (11-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last, 10th of 16, 11l behind Taranis (10-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Pevensey (IRE) 4-7fav (11-10) Prominent, shaken up approaching last, led flat, cheekily, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating Modicum (10-13) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Slew Charm (FR) 10-3fav (10-1) In touch, led on bit approaching 2 out, hit last, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
My Immortal 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 12th of 20, 11l behind Heathcote (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Magic Sky (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 6th, headed and not fluent 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Rio De Janeiro (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Cantgeton (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakened after 5th, 9th of 16, 30l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Nation State 14-1 (10-0) Headway from 3rd, chased leaders from after 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Cool Roxy 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 3rd, clear approaching 5th, mistake and headed 12th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied between last 2, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Inch Pride (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
French Saulaie (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, stayed on to take 2nd before, no impresion, 2nd of 13, 20l behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
Flying Falcon 8-1 (11-4) Led until not fluent and headed after 1st, prominent, slightly hampered 2nd, led approaching 3 out, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft beating Nobody Tells Me (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ma Yahab 14-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 6th, soon went 3rd, no impression last, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Ashley Brook (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
