led, headed 3rd, led again 8th, headed 3 out and weakened
in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, effort 8th, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 8th, weakened after 4 out
prominent and keen, ridden and every chance when mistake last, held close home
mid-division, headway to join leaders after 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakening when hanging right approaching last
in touch, ridden and brief effort 8th, soon weakened
in rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 9th
in touch, reminders after 6th, headway 8th, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, joined last, hard ridden and kept on, all out
Dawn Silk, Notabotheronme and Mutual Respect are the three to look at here with Mutual Respect the selection. After a promising run in a bumper, Notabotheronme showed promise on his hurdling bow before fading into fourth. He will have learned from the experience but may not quite be good enough here. Winning pointer Dawn Silk was quick enough to finish a good second last time over hurdles last time, and can go well. Mutual Respect won a bumper but was a disappointment on his hurdling bow, made favourite but managing only fourth. The Paul Nicholls camp was a little out of form at the time though and his runners needed the exercise. Mutual Respect can take this.
BallyGalley Bob (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, chased leader to 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Pocket Aces (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Come On Jim (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Boomerang (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs, 11 ran.
Cullahill (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakening when mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Psychomodo (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Dawn Silk (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, not quicken flat, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Timpo (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gem Mill (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Mole's Chamber (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Mister Pink 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place before 7th, rallied after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 29l behind Psychomodo (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Prominent, headway and every chance approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 19l behind Hills Of Aran (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Tracked clear leaders, took closer order after 5th, under pressure 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 17l behind Merchent Paddy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Shortgate Lane (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always in rear, blundered 3 out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Gansey (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
The Apprentice (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Mid-division and keen, headway 6f out, led 4f out, wandered both ways approaching final furlong, driven out, green, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov beating Spirit of Lake (11-2) by 3l, 16 ran.
