took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway from 7th, one pace under pressure before 2 out
took keen hold, in touch, mistake and weakened 2 out
towards rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, struggling from 5th, pulled up before next
keen hold in mid-division, weakened 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
took keen hold in rear, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 2 out
behind, tailed off 4th, pulled up before 6th
prominent, ridden before 2 out, chased winner before last, one pace and no impression run-in
prominent, mistake 8th, chased leading pair after next, soon weakened under pressure
always behind, tailed off from 8th
raced keenly, soon pressed leader, losing place when mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mistake, led to 6th, mistake and weakened quickly next, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
prominent, led and mistake 3 out, headed between last 2, one pace and no impression before last
prominent, led 6th to 3 out, led again between last 2, stayed on well, driven out
towards rear, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off
in touch, mistakes 3rd and 8th, weakening when fell 2 out
Victom's Chance could be the pick of this modest bunch, with King Of Confusion and Murphy's Nails put forward as the main rivals. The selection showed plenty of promise in a couple of bumpers before making a satisfactory debut over hurdles. He finished a close up third behind Baron Monty at Haydock. There should be plenty of improvement to come and he looks the safest bet here. King Of Confusion found this to be his best trip when beating all bar Le Biassais at Newcastle last time and should play a major role here. Murphy's Nails has obviously had his training problems but came up against a decent type in Chivite when last seen on a racecourse, if he retains most of his ability he could sneak into a place here. Barry's Ark and Cash Converter may do best of the others, but on this occasion we will side with Victom's Chance.
Barclay Boy 12-1 Behind, headway over 6f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon edged left, kept inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Round The Horn at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Barrys Ark (IRE) 6-1 Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden 1f out, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Nov beating Present Glory by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Bold Momento 20-1 Mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 12l behind Wenceslas at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Cash Converter (IRE) 7-1 Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Euro Leader at Listowel 2m 4f nhf gd in Sept '03.
Derwent (USA) 9-1 Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 11l behind Kirkham Abbey at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (E3) gf in Sept (Flat).
Heatherlea Squire (NZ) 66-1 Held up, ridden after 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Lustral Du Seuil at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Incoady 250-1 Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Darkness at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft.
King of Confusion (IRE) 6-1 Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, soon ridden, led after last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Le Biassais at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft.
Murphy's Nails (IRE) 13-2 Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Chivite at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gf in May '03.
Real Definition 11-2 Keen, tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 15l behind Round The Horn at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft in Jan.
Spartan Place 9-1 Held up in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 34l behind Demarco at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gs.
Victom's Chance (IRE) 5-2jt-fav Tracked leaders, ridden and mistake last, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Baron Monty at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) hvy in Jan.
Paddy Boy (IRE) 50-1 Raced keenly, chased winner, mistake 5th, lost 2nd next, weakened rapidly, 7th of 10, well behind Canni Thinkaar at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan.
