tracked leaders on inside and keen, led and mistake 2 out, ridden approaching and hit last, kept on
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on from last, took 4th flat, no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, ridden and mistake 2 out, weakened after last, lost 4th flat
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway on outer approaching 3 out, weakened soon after
held up mid-division, not fluent 5th, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and no impression
led and not fluent early, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, hit 5th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, weakened from 2 out, soon ridden, never dangerous
held up towards rear and keen, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 4th
AL QEDDAAF is taken to provide Jason Maguire with a winner upon his return to action following an enforced absence. Donald McCain's charge took fifth in Grade One company at Aintree so it was a shade disappointing that he took until October to get off the mark, having been beaten twice at odds-on in the interim, but that Bangor success should provide the platform from which the horse can build, with the forecast rain no problem. Vico Road never really featured in a Cheltenham bumper but is bred to do better now tackling obstacles and market support should be noted, however without that guide John Quinn's King Fingal is taken to fare best of the rest providing he takes to this task straight away. He's a 1m2f winner on the level who's been found a reasonable introduction, with the long absent Bob Jackson and point-to-point second Quiet Whisper likely to do better in time.
Al Qeddaaf (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Prominent, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, came clear flat, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Maggio (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Attaglance 20-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 21l behind Drill Sergeant (11-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Bob Jackson (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Always behind, 7th of 9, 24l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov '07.
King Fingal (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, no progress over 2f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Oriental Cat (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct (flat).
Lyrical Intent 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, some headway on outside over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 14l behind Lombok (9-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Quiet Whisper (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, challenging when swerved left well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Reverend Green (10-7) at Southwell 1m 6f 4yo nhf (4) std in Jan.
Tahiti Pearl (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 33l behind Hold Fast (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Vico Road (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 8, 13l behind Lets Get Serious (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Mill Beattie 25-1 (8-6) Led 1f, tracked leaders after, ridden 4f out, driven 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 12l behind That'll Do Nicely (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar '09 (flat).
Sacco D'oro 80-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, pushed along over 6f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Royal Riviera (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 5f 3yo nhf (5) hvy in Dec.
