held up in rear, went 5th approaching 12th, pushed along 14th, mistake next, one pace from 4 out, no impression on leaders when mistake and unseated rider last
prominent, led approaching 2nd until next, chased leaders, hit 13th, ridden after 15th, switched left approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd last stides
prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 6th, headed 11th, remained handy, went 2nd 3 out, every chance next, one pace flat, lost 2nd final strides
held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 3rd, weakened quickly approaching 12th, pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, pushed along after 15th, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well flat
in touch, lost place 4th, pushed along after 11th, not fluent 15th, mistake 15th, soon weakened
led until approaching 2nd, in touch, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, not always fluent, behind from 12th
held up in touch, headway to go prominent when mistake 4th, led 11th, soon headed, remained pressing, led approaching 4out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
Any support for former Irish point-to-pointer Acrai Rua would be interesting having skipped hurdling completely, however the vote goes to HEATHCLIFF ahead of Zemsky, Othermix and Ballydub. Richard Lee's experienced hurdler has made a promising start to his chasing career, albeit with a fall last time. He was coming to challenge at the last when tipping up at Chepstow but if that incident has not left this mark then this 132-rated gelding could take some beating. Ballydub was also a good hurdler but that may be where his future lies as so fat he has failed to cut the mustard over fences; on a positive side, this better ground may help. Cast Cada disappointed when last seen behind Khachaturian but that form looks solid and he is considered after a break, Othermix was very good over in France but needs to improve on his UK form so far, whilst Zemsky looks a player. He was outclassed at Cheltenham last time behind Inchidaly Rock, however this son of Presenting is likely to appreicate this easier company and better ground. Don't rule out Lord Brunello either, however this can go to Heathcliff.
Acrai Rua (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Bhd, 12th 1/2 way, bhd 4out, pu next, in a race won by The Architect (12-0) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp in Mar, 19 ran.
Ballydub (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led to 12th, led again 4 out, headed 3 out when weakening, 4th of 6, 13l behind The Sliotar (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Cast Cada (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, hit 1st, mistake 9th, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 10, 35l behind Khachaturian (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Harellie (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up, mid-division, weakened from 7th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Heathcliff (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along approaching 4 out, headway after 3 out, every chance approaching last, 1 length down when fell last, in a race won by Synchronised (11-2) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Lord Brunello (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Friendly King (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec '08.
Othermix (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, went second 11th, ridden and relegated to third when mistake 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Cruchain (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f beg chase (4) sft in Jun.
Twocute (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) In touch, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 40l behind Jackers (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Zemsky (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Mistakes, close up, pecked 9th, blundered 12th, not fluent 14th and next, ridden 17th, soon no chance with leaders, 4th of 6, 29l behind Inchidaly Rock (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Dec.
