tracked clear leader, headway 3 out, led after next, soon hard ridden and strongly challenged, stayed on strongly under pressure
pulled hard and prominent, under pressure before 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, headway before 7th, soon chasing leaders, every chance last, hard ridden and weakened close home
always behind, pulled up 2 out
led, soon clear, jumped left and mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakening when jumped badly left last
mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, headway next, never able to challenge
held up in touch, lost place before 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon no impression
pulled hard in rear, never a factor
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
held up mid-division, behind from 4 out, pulled up 2 out
held up in rear, moderate headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
always behind, hit 6th, pulled up 2 out
Nicky Henderson has been responsible for two of the three winners to successfully carry penalties in the last ten years so CANDY CREEK gets the nod. Priors Glen and That's The Deal are amongst those that could reward each-way support. Candy Creek was a high-profile and costly purchase at the spring sales having won two of her three starts in bumpers, including the Listed race at Aintree on her final start. She was found a suitable opening for her hurdling bow and duly obliged at odds of 2-5 but she does possess the scope to go on to better things. Duke Of Lucca could have his work cut out under a penalty and of more interest is Priors Glen who should be all the better for his hurdling bow at Ascot. Connections felt that he wouldn't be at his peak that day and he did appear to tire in the closing stages so better can be expected although he's never run on ground worse than good to soft. Testing terrain should pose no problems for Irish point winner That's The Deal whilst Tafika looked in need of a trip when making his debut in a Chepstow bumper. Cuckoo Pen, Filippo Lippi, Maraksh and The White Admiral are others that could play a prominent role but this might be as easy as stealing from a baby for Candy Creek.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 4th, led 2 out, kept on, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Synthe Davis (10-7) by nk, 9 ran.
The Giant Bolster 28-1 (10-12) In touch, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden and stayed on well to lead flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Night Orbit (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Candy Creek (IRE) 2-5fav (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway before 4 out, joined leader next, every chance approaching 2 out, led before last, driven clear, won at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov beating On Borrowed Wings (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cloudy Sunset 28-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 26l behind Saxona (10-9) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in May.
Cuckoo Pen 16-1 (11-2) Led 2f, chased leader, led again after 6f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 16, 3l behind No Principles (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in May.
Doctor Foxtrot (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up, tailed off approaching 2 out, 11th of 14, 50l behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Led, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, soon headed, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 18l behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Filippo Lippi (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, shaken up 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 32l behind Candy Creek (10-5) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Maraksh (FR) 11-4fav (11-2) Held up in last pair, steady headway 5f out, ridden to challenge for 2nd on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind You're So Vain (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Priors Glen (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 4l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Quizwork (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division on outside, lost place 4th, behind next, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Chamirey (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Tafika 10-1 (11-2) In touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten, 4th of 9, 22l behind Amroth Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
That's The Deal (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Ld, jnd 1/2 way, eased clr 3out, row, won at Sligo 3m ire ptp gd in May '08 beating Kellys Charm (11-7) by 9l, 12 ran.
Flaviola (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off final 3f, 11th of 16, well behind Bringewood Belle (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Nov.
The White Admiral (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3f out, outpaced 2f out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Megastar (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gd in Nov.
