held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, under pressure 3 out, stayed on to take third approaching last
held up towards rear, hampered 6th, headway 12th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 14th, ridden to challenge after 2nd last, soon weakened
always behind, hampered 7th, mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up 13th
in touch, chased leaders halfway, under pressure 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway halfway, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace
led until 2nd, remained prominent, mistake 13th, soon under pressure, lost place approaching 3 out
mid-division when fell 7th
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out
chasing leaders when fell 6th
held up in rear, under pressure 12th, tailed off when tried to refuse last, literally walked over it and fell
DON'T BE BLEU may be the answer to a competitive finale but Jackella, Pretty Star and Creinch are just three of the potential dangers. Peter Bowen's mare is one of the least exposed horses in the field having won her sole start over fences. That success came in a modest race confined to her own sex but she did it in good style and has been given every chance by the handicapper as her mark is a pound lower than that she last raced off over hurdles. Creinch has been pretty consistent but has a little to prove at this trip as does Jackella but the latter's breeding suggests that he's unlikely to fail for a lack of stamina. Stamina won't be Sprosser's undoing either and he has slipped back to a decent mark and should go well whilst Thistlecraft has the ability if on a going day. Pretty Star is another fairly treated performer if he can build on his first success for new connections whilst Will The Till has been in good form this season and was still in contention when unseating his pilot on his latest start. At prices Pairc Na Gcapall and Alfie's Son are two that could enter calculations if the market were to give out some signs of encouragement but the selection, Don't Be Bleu, may turn out to be a safer option.
Creinch 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, stayed on from 3 out, never reached leaders, 4th of 18, 13l behind Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Sprosser (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, headway and chased leader after 14th, every chance 4 out, no extra from approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Stolen Moments (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Ferimon 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 6th of 16, 12l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Pretty Star (GER) 9-1 (10-2) Held up, steady headway after 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Soleil Fix (11-1) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Alfie's Sun 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 16, 35l behind Basic Fact (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec '07.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Will The Till 8-1 (11-6) Held up, behind when unseated rider at the 12th in race won by National Petition (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Pairc Na Gcapall (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Prominent, mistake 1st, hit 8th, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out but no danger, 4th of 10, 19l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Don't Be Bleu (IRE) 85-40 (11-1) Raced in 3rd, challenged going well 2 out, soon led, quickened clear, won at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (4) sft in Dec beating Just Poppytee (11-1) by 9l, 4 ran.
Jackella (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-8) With leader, led 4th to 5th, stayed upsides, led approaching 4 out, soon hanging left, headed before 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Classic Role (11-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Methodical 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 11th, no further impression, 5th of 11, 38l behind National Petition (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
General Alarm 50-1 (10-11) Always behind, 8th of 15, well behind Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
