mid-division, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened after 5th, lost touch when pulled up before 3 out
in rear when brought down on bend after 5th
led, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, brought down on bend after 5th
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on to chase winner last, switched right soon after, hung left flat and all out to lead close home
in touch, headway 5th, ridden to lead after 2 out, weakening flat, headed close home, hanging right
mid-division, closer order 6th, soon ridden and held
in touch, weakening when stumbled and fell on bend after 5th
tracked leaders, lost place after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden when hampered after 5th, lost touch when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, slightly hampered after 5th, never a danger
Teamgeist is the pick over Low Delta and Back On Line, with Lord Gee and Burren Legend also worth a mention. This race was won 12-months ago by the useful Opera Mundi, so it will be interesting to see whether any of today's participants turn out as good, but on the evidence of his Warwick bumper debut, Teamgeist should at least pay to follow. Charlie Mann's six-year-old was noted making good late headway once the penny had dropped, and this winning pointer should have little trouble adapting to the obstacles. The step up in trip will be in his favour as well, and he is taken to come out on top. Opera Mundi's trainer Paul Nicholls saddles Low Delta, an Irish import who shaped well enough on his British bow when third at Wincanton last month. He can also figure along with Back On Line who will lack for nothing in stamina on breeding. Lord Gee showed promise when a close second to The King Of Angels at Ascot in November, and Burren Legend is going the right way slowly but surely. They appear to be the main contenders, with preference for Teamgeist.
Burren Legend (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 17l behind The Real Deal (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Champion de Sou (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 5th weakened 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Corker 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Rebel Raider (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Lord Gee (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, pressed winner 3 out, every chance next, one pace after, 5th of 16, 13l behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Low Delta (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden into 3rd approaching 2 out, not pace of leading pair, 3rd of 17, 20l behind Portland Bill (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sydney (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, joined winner 8f out, driven 4f out, weakening when hung badly left inside final 2f, 8th of 10, 13l behind Argent Ou Or (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd in Apr '05.
Teamgeist (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Towards rear, stayed on well final 3f, 4th of 19, 10l behind Freddie The Third (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
The Wooden Spoon (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, weakening when jumped left 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 31l behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Back On Line (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) Chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 5th, soon ridden, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Arisea (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Marino Gale 100-1 (10-7) Always behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Outclass 40-1 (11-2) Behind until moderate late headway, 7th of 14, 25l behind Irish Wedding (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Karshaan (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, stayed on to press for modest 3rd approaching last, no extra, 4th of 12, 13l behind Gracechurch (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
