led, ridden and headed 3 out, mistake and led again 2 out, headed last, one pace
chased leader, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from last
tracked leaders, jumped right 6th, led 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, led again last, ridden out
held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, slightly hampered 6th, soon weakened
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up towards rear, lost place 4th, stayed on and no impression from 2 out
in touch and keen until weakened 6th, tailed off when fell 3 out
Billyvoddan looks to hold an excellent chance here and is given the call over Kingston Town, Miss Cospector, Latzod'Alm and Liberia. The selection's form, which includes very good runner-up spots behind Over The Creek and Team Tassel in competitive handicaps in his last two runs, stands out here and he is likely to be a warm order to land the finale - as he ought to be. Miss Cospector showed improved form to finish second over course and distance last time to the useful Thames and a similar effort would give her a chance. Cool Cossack was behind her on that occasion. Thames's trainer Nicky Henderson runs the French import Liberia here so the betting should be watched for clues with regard to him. Latzod'Alm ran very well at Lingfield last time and the form has been franked since, so put him high on the shortlist, that comment also applying to Mazzareme, a good winner at Ayr last time over today's trip. Kingston Town, who comes here following a good Flat run and has already won over obstacles, has also to be afforded respect from the Pipe camp. Finally, Eskimo Pie beat Cool Cossack by a length over course and distance in November but has to improve on that to win. Once again, though, Billyvoddan looks the one to beat.
