mid-division early, tracked leaders 4th, ridden to lead after 2 out, clear when hit last, stayed on strongly
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra from last
mid-division, effort approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division until 3 out, never back on terms
held up behind, steady progress on outer from 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on but always held
tracked leaders, went prominent 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, hampered on inner after 3 out, stayed on after next, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, ridden to dispute 3rd after 2 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
led until 5th, prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake next
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 4th near finish
mid-division, headway when mistake 8th, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, good headway approaching 2 out, ridden to dispute 3rd approaching last, stayed on
in touch, struggling 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to dispute 3rd after 2 out, weakened approaching last, eased run-in
Tora Bora has every chance of following up his recent Ascot success but the softer ground and a 10lb higher mark makes this tougher for Brendan Powell's gelding and a better bet may be LIBERATE, one of two runners representing Philip Hobbs, and he is preferred to stable companion Fair Along. An 8lb rise for a narrow success over Powerstation here last month leaves the six-year-old with more to do today but he is a proven performer over course and distance on testing ground so has to be respected. Nicky Henderson's Cesarewitch winner Caracciola is capable over hurdles but was disappointing over them last term so he may be best watched on his return to the winter game. Paul Nolan's Maucaillou ran well here behind Andytown last time and has claims if he can stay this far, while Alan King's Pennek is less exposed than most of these and has given every indication that he would improve for the step up in trip. David Pipe's Openditch ran well when last seen, finishing a close fourth behind Liberate at Haydock in May but he may have to settle for minor honours behind the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding again. The five-year-old made an encouraging return in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last month, should not be inconvenienced by the cut in the ground and he looks worth chancing off a fair mark.
Fair Along (GER) 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden 2 out, held on gamely from last, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov beating Powerstation (11-7) by a nk, 15 ran.
Liberate 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, driven and weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 25l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Buena Vista (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven and weakened 9th, tailed off from 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Fair Along (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Lacdoudal (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr '07.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 3 out, chased winner last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 5l behind Poquelin (11-6) at Sandown 2m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Don't Push It (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, never in contention, 8th of 17, 17l behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Diablo (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Fair Along (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Mendo 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 22l behind According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Hidden Agent (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Casey Jones (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Valley Ride (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, hit 9th, lost place after 10th, in rear when badly hampered 3 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Albertas Run (10-4) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr '07, 21 ran.
Tora Bora (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Disputed lead, led 2nd, headed 5th, led again and hit 7th, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, ran on, won at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Arrayou (11-10) by 8l, 7 ran.
Cullahill (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) In touch, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Diablo (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Saltango (GER) 11-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, led briefly after 3rd, led 2 out, ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Taranis (10-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Oct '06.
Maucaillou (GER) 33-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 22, 2 1/2l behind Andytown (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Pennek (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, staying on when hit last, nearest finish, 5th of 19, 15l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Openditch (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on flat, 4th of 15, 2l behind Liberate (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Dan Buoy (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on from after next, 3rd of 17, 7l behind Ballydub (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
