held up, some progress approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out
in touch until weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, headway 7th, led 3 out, soon ridden, jinked and headed final 40 yards, no extra
held up, headway after 8th, challenging when hit 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, led final 40 yards
took keen hold tracking leaders, effort 4 out, weakened after next
mid-division, ridden after 8th, soon beaten
with leader until weakened after 8th
led 2nd until 5th, led 6th, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, led 4 out, ridden and headed next, kept chasing leaders, weakened last
held up, good headway on bit after 8th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, staying on in close 2nd when mistake last, not recover
held up, headway 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from next
led until 2nd, led 5th until next, weakened after 8th
This qualifier for Cheltenham poses the usual problems in trying to locate the winner. Our idea for the first home is IRISH RAPTOR with serious consideration given to Hills Of Aran and the Nicholls pair. The selection has to race from 7lbs out of the handicap but he has had just five starts over hurdles and today's racing mark is still 19lbs lower than the mark he last raced off over fences. Whether he has the ability to take advantage of the discrepancy remains to be seen but his yard is in such good form that it looks worth taking the chance. Mr Pointment's season may well be geared around another tilt at the Grand National and he's probably on a stiff enough mark as is Buena Vista. Forest Pennant is 10lbs higher than when winning at Aintree but that was his first run at around this trip and only his ninth start in all so it's reasonable to expect him to have more in the locker. Tony McCoy is due to ride Hills Of Aran in preference to The Very Man and Keith Goldsworthy's runner should be spot on following a recent spin on the level. He was highly tried last season but his staying on third behind The Tother One from just a 2lb lower mark in February strongly suggests that he's up to winning races of this nature from this mark. Mister Gloss has been in good form over fences this season and also appeals as being on a fair mark back over timber whilst Important Business makes some each-way appeal at a price but they may all fall prey to Irish Raptor.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Close up, led 4th to 6th, led again approaching 16th until 24th (Canal Turn), weakened after next, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, no impression, 9th of 18, 33l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Held up, trying to close when mistake 9th, lost place, headway after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out, won at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Superior Wisdom (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
Hills Of Aran 16-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake 5th, behind 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mister Gloss (IRE) 7-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, keen, led 3rd, blundered 6th and 7th, every chance when mistake and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Ballyfitz (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd, 3 ran.
The Very Man (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Detached, jumped very erratically 1st 2 and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Edmo Yewkay (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Warpath (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, struggling before 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Jazz Dance (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sept.
Mossville (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Chased leader, hit 4 out, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 8, 29l behind Scots Dragoon (10-11) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Important Business (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, led approaching 3 out, all out and headed flat, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Lord Ryeford (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
To Arms 25-1 (11-4) In touch, closer order 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, 37l behind Elusive Dream (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, hampered 14th, struggling when hit 17th, not a danger after, 6th of 11, 24l behind Le Duc (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Apr.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) In touch, not fluent 5th, soon pushed along, weakened next, behind when pecked 3 out, 12th of 16, 21l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
