chased leaders, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous
behind, driven along 5th, never dangerous
held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 4 out, no response
behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, no impression
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
led to 3rd, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, hit 6th, led after 3 out, kept on gamely under pressure from last
in touch, led approaching 3 out, headed soon after, weakened 2 out
in touch, weakened after 4 out
led from 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on towards finish
held up, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Corrib Lad can claim this ahead of Another Promise and Kyathos. Lenny Lungo's yard are in much better nick of late and with two recent runs under his belt, there can be few excuses about racefitness. A recent fifth to Hue at Carlisle reads particularly well in the context of this race. Another Promise is proven at graded level over chase fences and is of obvious interest off this much lower hurdling mark. It does not follow that he can convert the opportunity and with short prices likely on seasonal reappearance, better value could lie elsewhere. Kyathos is basically plating class. He is consistent enough if ordinary. Fair Spin has never quite justified the promise he once had. Micky Hammond can get them ready first time out and a season off might just have made all the difference. Sybrarite Chief is another to watch in the market on reappearance. Windygate proved a surprise favourite over further at Kelso last time out although never looked like landing the gamble on the day. Thenford Star appears to be best of the rest. Corrib Lad looks likely to provide an element of value at the likely odds and it is to Lenny Lungo's charge that we offer the nod.
Sybarite Chief (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, progress from 4th, not fluent 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 18, 32l behind Rebel Raider (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan '07.
Fair Spin 22-1 (10-13) Jumped right in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 37l behind Clock House (10-5) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan '07.
Ever Special (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always behind, 7th of 16, 37l behind Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Another Promise (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, 4th from halfway, left 3rd 4 out, disputed lead after next, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Royal Shakespeare (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wee Bertie (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division until weakened 10th, 8th of 16, 39l behind Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Longdale 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out, no impression approaching last, 5th of 11, 22l behind Our Joycey (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Baie des Flamands (USA) 66-1 (11-7) Led to 4th, ridden after next, weakened before 3 out, 15th of 18, 42l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Cha Cha Cha Dancer 12-1 (11-8) Led to 8th, chased leaders, ridden and one pace approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 7l behind Alfabet Souk (10-1) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Rudaki 50-1 (11-6) Mid-divison, weakened 3 out, 12th of 20, 42l behind Random Native (11-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Chapel Flowers (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, blundered 11th, well behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Silent Bay (11-6) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Polly Whitefoot 20-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Dundock (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Kyathos (GER) 11-2 (10-9) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace 2 out, 4th of 14, 4l behind Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Windygate (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out and ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 14, 42l behind Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Buckstruther (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd and weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Rightful Ruler (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Ragador 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway to lead approaching 7th, tried to run out and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Quality Control (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy, 11 ran.
The Masters Lesson 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, soon behind, 10th of 16, 39l behind Kealshore Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Corrib Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Not fluent and always behind, 6th of 8, well behind King Harald (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Thenford Sir (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind Mensio (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
