always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway 8th, chased winner next, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last, lost 2nd flat
led, ridden and headed 8th, weakened after next
mistake and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
always prominent, led 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, blundered 7th, ridden next, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, one pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 2nd flat
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened after next
held up towards rear, headway 9th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders
in touch, effort when mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division until weakened 9th, pulled up after 3 out
Parkinson could bounce back to form in first time blinkers but Pelo Du Bief may have more to offer at this longer trip and is selected ahead of Low Delta and Commander Vic. The selection had hinted at ability prior to staying on well to win at Newcastle over two and a half miles. He shaped as though he would get further that day and hasn't been too harshly assessed by the handicapper. Parkinson would be a threat to all if on a going day but this season's efforts have to be a cause for concern whilst Low Delta and Commander Vic are both continuing hurdling careers after abortive efforts over fences. Either may prove good enough but neither makes stand out appeal. Odiham has to be on the short-list too but didn't convince last time whilst Lady Roania and Mister Sher are also considered but Pelo Du Bief ticks a number of the right boxes so earns the vote.
Secured (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 17, 28l behind Ordre de Bataille (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Mister Gloss (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, mistake 2nd last, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 14, 11l behind Sullumo (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Odiham 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 8l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to lead again after last, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating High Stand Lad (11-4) by 1l, 18 ran.
Bengal Bullet 25-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden before 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 15, well behind Very Cool (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Commander Vic (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Chased winner to 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Rebel Melody (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lady Roania (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, kept on from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 13, 19l behind Willie The Fish (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Reelinga 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear when mistake next, stayed on well, won at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec beating Kisha King (11-5) by 7l, 14 ran.
Carew Lad 14-1 (11-2) Led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Insignia (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jul.
Mister Sher (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, behind from 7th, plugged on, 4th of 13, well behind Iwillrememberyou (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Low Delta (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Hampered 1st, held up, headway after 5th, ridden, chased leader after 7th, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra, 4th of 17, 8l behind Busy Henry (11-6) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Master Wolfe (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chasing leaders when fell at the 3rd in race won by Very Cool (11-1) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs, 15 ran.
Joli Classical (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up, in touch until lost place after 2 out, 8th of 16, 18l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Parkinson (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Mistakes and early reminders, always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Lampion Du Bost (9-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 22 ran.
Clifden Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 7th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 17, 19l behind Busy Henry (11-6) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
