in rear, driven and mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch until weakened soon after 2 out
led at good pace, mistake 6th, headed soon after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up in rear, mistake and ridden 5th, soon well behind
well behind when mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not jump well, chased leaders until lost place 7th, tailed off
trackled leader, hit 7th, led soon after 3 out, mistake and headed last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, headway under pressure before last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders, every chance between last 2, weakening when mistake last
held up in rear, ridden after 5th, well behind when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not fluent mid-division, under pressure, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leading trio after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
held up in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out, led last, pushed out, comfortably
Count Boris has solid claims on form but Jonathan Geake's horses are not running well at present so he looks worth taking on with preference for Opera Mundi, who gets the vote ahead of Major Miller. The last mentioned has shown plenty of ability but is proving to be somewhat frustrating so Nicky Henderson's gelding may be best watched. Forest Miller showed promise in a Chepstow bumper but lacks any hurdling experience and is probably best left out of calculations, while High Point makes a belated debut over hurdles at the age of eight. Petitjean goes straight into a novice hurdle have run promisingly behind the useful Pepporoni Pete in a bumper at Wincanton. The ex-French Palm Island looks to be going the right way and is another to consider but the vote goes to Opera Mundi. The four-year-old is entitled to come on for his British debut last month and it is interesting that Paul Nicholls has booked Tony McCoy for a horse who receives a decent age allowance from his rivals.
Brooking (IRE) Roselier gelding out of Kilkil Pin.
Count Boris 4-1 (11-5) In touch and keen, chased winner from 4th, every chance 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 16, 10l behind Montecorvino (11-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Dancing Bear 50-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 21l behind Moon Shot (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Forest Miller 8-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden along 7f out, headway over 4f out, one pace from 3f out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Froghole Flyer 5-1 (11-7) pulled up in race won by Kupto (12-0) at Ashorne 3m ptp gd in May '04, 7 ran.
High Point (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Made most to over 6f out, outpaced 3f out, no chance after, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Reggae Rhythm (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan (Flat).
Major Miller 3-1fav (10-12) Always prominent, every chance 2 out, ridden and led briefly soon after, no extra, 2nd of 15, nk behind Shaka's Pearl (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Palm Island (FR) 6-1 (11-5) In touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Brumous (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Petitjean 6-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 18l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Public Eye 100-1 (10-11) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Tarlac (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Red Granite 40-1 (10-12) Behind, some headway after 8th, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 33l behind Adventurist (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf.
Sheriff Roscoe 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, chased winner to 2 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 11, 12l behind Snakebite (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Ceoperk (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 16, 16l behind Barton Legend (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Opera Mundi (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed briefly 2 out, soon led, hard ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Jan.
