held up in rear, headway after 8th, no impression, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4th, no impression after 8th, kept on same pace
in touch, pushed along after 6th, weakened after 8th
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, went 4th next, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
jumped really well, led 3rd, drew clear from 8th, very easily
led until 3rd, mostly 3rd after, ridden before 4 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden in 5th approaching 4 out, went well held 4th 2 out
Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in super form at the moment so lack of a recent run should not be a problem for his representative here, South O'The Border, who makes his reappearance and he has to be considered having run encouragingly here when last seen over fences in February. The Paul Nicholls-trained ROYAL CHARM was easily the pick of these over hurdles though having earned a rating as high as 145 and he will be tough to beat if able to run to a similar level of form on his first start over fences. Carrickboy has not been seen since April 2009 and is probably best watched on his return to action for Venetia Williams with a bigger threat likely to come from Belcantista, who represents the yard of Philip Hobbs. He too has been off the track for some time having not been seen since February last year but the yard has been having the odd winner of late.
Belcantista (FR) 5-2fav (10-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, weakened between last 2, 7th of 13, 8l behind Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb '09.
Carrickboy (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, slightly hampered 6th, headway 8th, led 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 22, 10l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr '09.
Kitley Hassle 7-1 (10-10) In touch until ridden and struggling 9th, soon tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Bai Zhu (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Quicolai (FR) 150-1 (11-1) Mid-division, kept on from 3f out, 4th of 14, 30l behind Ikorodu Road (11-1) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '09.
Royal Charm (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, challenged on outside and every chance 2 out, ridden and found no extra before last, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Restless Harry (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) With leader, led 10th, hard pressed 3 out, stayed on to go 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Forget It (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
South O'The Border 40-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before last, 9th of 22, 12l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
