tracked leaders, badly hampered by loose horse approaching 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace after
held up, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up, hampered 2nd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear and not fluent, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from next
close up, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, driven out flat, held towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
mistake and left in lead 2nd, headed flat, no extra
in touch, badly hampered and nearly fell 2nd, soon pulled up
in touch and jumped badly left and blundered 2nd, towards rear, kept on from 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden at 3 out, weakened from next
Mr Crystal is taken to land the opener with Top Rocker and Dansilver also considered. The selection was a fair sort on the flat but he was very impressive when winning on his hurdling debut last time, beating the well-backed Fushe Jo. He looked like one to stay on the right side of that day and we are happy to nominate him as the selection. Top Rocker rates as the main danger as he made a promising debut over hurdles when chasing home Callisto Moon at Cartmel. He should benefit from the experience and if he improves then he will not be far away at the finish. Dansilver returns to hurdling after a couple of spins on the level and he would definitely have to enter calculations on the pick of his form in this sphere. Akiyama and John Dillon are others to consider on their first try over hurdles as they have shown some decent form on the flat and they represent stables that have to be respected in these type of events. However, Mr Crystal was a real eyecatcher when winning on his hurdling bow and he can score again.
Dansilver 12-1 (11-4) In touch when bumped 1st, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 13, 19l behind Tension Point (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Mr Crystal (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Fushe Jo (10-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Bollin Fergus 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakening when blundered badly 3 out, soon eased, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mud Monkey (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Colditz (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Contemplation (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2f sll (6) frm in Sept (Flat).
Flamed Amazement 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Opera Crown (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept '06 (Flat).
Grey Light (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Jafaru (8-2) at Hamilton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May (Flat).
John Dillon (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Mirthful (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug (Flat).
Malguru 25-1 (8-11) Mid-division, chased leaders halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 39l behind Bollin Felix (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Jul (Flat).
Nota Liberata 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, in 4th and held when badly hampered after last, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Callisto Moon (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Top Rocker 8-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Callisto Moon (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Jane of Arc (FR) 9-1 (8-10) Towards rear, effort over 4f out, no impression, 11th of 16, 11l behind Garibaldi (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Buccellati (8-10) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Sept (Flat).
Roca Redonda (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened after next, 5th of 14, 41l behind Soliya (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Jun.
Akiyama (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Drink To Me Only (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m hcap (6) gd in Jul (Flat).
Cornell Precedent 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway from 3 out, ridden next and kept on, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Mr Crystal (10-12) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Paradise Walk 10-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Music Review (9-0) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
