tracked leaders, led on bit approaching 3 out, soon in command, idled and shaken up towards finish
took keen hold in mid-division, fell 5th
mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway after next, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 7th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in rear when badly hampered 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, tailed off
led until 5th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch until 7th, soon well behind
mid-division, hampered 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off
mid-division until weakened 7th, tailed off
raced keenly, close up, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on flat, always held
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, some progress 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division until after 7th, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until weakened after 7th
tracked leader, led 5th until approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
always towards rear
Western Whiskey rates a danger on the form of his Haydock run, Edgbriar has a clear chance but SIR TANTALLUS HAWK is taken to prevail. Edgbriar has progressed well over hurdles and returns to novice company following a decent run in a competitive Ascot handicap over three miles. The drop in trip shouldn't be a problem but the concession of 10lbs may be. Western Whiskey responded to the fitting of headgear to run his best race since arriving from Ireland. A competitive field went to post for that event and he'll go close if he can run up to a similar level of form but the underfoot conditions are different today and so are the obstacles. Alan Swinbank's horses are clearly in decent nick and Sir Tantallus Hawk may be able to open his account over obstacles. He lost his way in bumpers after a promising start but was quite well supported on his hurdling bow and far from disgraced. His profile suggests that soft ground would be against him but conditions may be fast enough to enable Sir Tantallus Hawk to give of his best.
Edgbriar (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Took keen hold in rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Alan's Legacy (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 16, 50l behind Quwetwo (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Ballingaddy (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 31l behind Tataniano (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Bardolet (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 5f out, stayed on final 2f, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Barrow Way (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Diamond Frontier (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Dark Destiny (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approachinhg 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 14, 27l behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Empty Sky 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders when mistake 1st, ridden to challenge approaching last, every chance when not quicken close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Go All Out (IRE) (11-7) 4th of 5, 27l behind Stomers Cross (11-7) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp gd in Oct '07.
Ifandbutwhy (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, well behind Honest John (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Lunar Storm (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, outpaced 2f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Vivona Hill (11-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Mad Jack Duncan (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, 5th of 15, 21l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mighty Magnus (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tarablaze (11-11) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some progress 9th, soon ridden, stayed on approaching last, 6th of 16, 21l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 15-8 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 2nd from 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Abstinence (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Black Baron (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of Royal Nora.
The Kealshore Kid (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 24l behind Oneforsaturday (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in May.
Tremolo (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In touch, headway approaching 3rd, ridden 4th, blundered 5th, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Walk Tall (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 16l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Western Whisky (FR) 28-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Wherrimon 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 44l behind Springfield Raki (11-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Magic of The Isles 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4th, 11th of 14, well behind Banquet (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
