led from 2nd, made rest, stayed on well from last
held up mid-division, went 3rd from 5th, chased winner from 3 out, kept on and always held
led to 2nd, chased winner from 4th until 3 out, not fluent and one pace after
mid-division, weakened from 6th
tracked winner until 4th, lost place 7 out
held up towards rear, pecked badly 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, never dangerous
Puffin Billy has had his problems and hasn't raced since finishing last on his reappearance at Newbury around this time last season. But Oliver Sherwood remains convinced he has a top-class prospect on his hands and it will be interesting to see how he fares over fences after another lay-off. Dunraven Storm is going chasing late in life but he is a very decent hurdler on his day and could go close if enjoying the new challenge. FAR WEST (NAP), a very smart juvenile hurdler, failed to win last season but was second in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on his return to action. He could be another winner for Paul Nicholls.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd or 7th, pushed along and effort 3 out, no real impression, beaten before last, weakened flat, 8th of 9, 12l behind Rumble Of Thunder (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Far West (FR) 20-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened before 2 out, 21st of 28, 46l behind Whisper (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Pressed winner, challenged on wide outside and hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened before next, mistake last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Ifandbutwhynot (10-11) at Newbury 2m Lstd hcp hdl 0-155 (1) gs in Nov.
Rock Of Fife 33-1 (11-0) (tt) hdwy 14; lost plce 3 out; lft 2nd app nxt; no ex flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Templer (11-0) at Torrington Farmers 3m ptp gf in Jun.
Stella's Fella 25-1 (11-9) Led, clear from 3rd until 4 out, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 41l behind Ballygrooby Bertie (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Surprise Us 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leading trio, lost place 4th, 3rd 5 out until approaching next, modest 3rd again just before last, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Islandmagee (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
The Cat's Away (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders to 5th, soon lost place, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Milord (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Mrs Jordan (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 12, 18l behind Liberty Court (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Cavite Alpha (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, weakened before 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Provo (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct '12.
