in rear, headway 13th, weakened after 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
held up, lost place quickly 8th, pulled up after 10th
close up, chased winner approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, chased leaders after 13th, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
held up, mistake 7th, chased leaders approaching next, in 4th and weakening from 5 out, pulled up and collapsed after last
held up, weakened after 6 out, pulled up before 5 out
held up mid-division, weakened quickly from 12th, pulled up before 4 out
made all, pushed along approaching 11th, reminded next, mistake 4 out, not fluent next, under pressure last, driven out
close up, mistake 5 out, every chance last when not fluent, no extra towards finish
An interesting race but one where there are plenty of ifs and buts given the lack of chasing experience. BEYOND REDEMPTION is put forwards ahead of Gabresellassie and More The Merrier. Beyond Redemption is just the type of horse that his yard does well with although the Irish point winner will have to improve on the form that he has shown under Rules. He was well held on his chasing bow at Stratford in May but could find that this test is more to his liking. Gabreselassie has shown the odd glimmer of ability and may well build on that now switched to fences which is also the hope with More The Merrier who is related to winners in this sphere. Bobby Bullock fell on his chase bow but is unexposed and representing a yard going great guns whilst support for Tarquinius would bring him into the equation. Prince Noora and Oncle Kid have more experience than most with the former open to improvement on his second start for Tim Vaughan and the latter on a fair mark if connections have resolved his jumping problems. Most, therefore, can be given a chance of sorts but Beyond Redemption gets the call.
Bobby Bullock (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Not fluent, towards rear when fell 11th, in a race won by South Bronx (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Sep '08, 7 ran.
Gabreselassie (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 9th until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 17, 34l behind Picture This (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Tarquinius (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Led to 3rd, chased leader until weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Oncle Kid (FR) 33-1 (11-6) In touch, blundered 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Beyond Redemption (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Gleann An Sagart (11-7) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Prince Noora (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders after 3rd, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind The Snail (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Oct.
Go Johnny Go (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Close up, soon tailed off, last of 6, well behind Double Mead (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun '08.
Fortification (USA) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, pushed along after 4th, out pace 7th, rallied after 2 out, not fluent last, edged left flat, one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind High Carol (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
More The Merrier (IRE) 6-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, driven and lost place 7th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 14, 29l behind Heir To Be (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
