always behind
close up, blundered 6th, chased winner from 4 out until last, one pace
held up mid-division, blundered 9th, outpaced from 5 out
always behind
in touch, outpaced 5 out
jumped right throughout, led to 6th, chased leaders, led again 6 out, driven out
in rear, some headway 5 out, never on terms
with leaders, led 6th, headed 6 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened last
Nonrunner
Manbow won this race last year beating Mandingo Chief who had won it the year before, however neither has the most solid of profiles and we will take a chance with the now fairly handicapped YES SIR. A spell of seven consecutive wins in less than four months back in 2006 really scuppered the selection's chance of further success as when he stepped out of Novice company the next season his handicap mark was too high. Despite being able to win off a mark of 144 over hurdles, he has struggled recently but is now looking well-treated off 129 today. He showed a bit more promise last time and if he gets an easy lead then he could prove hard to peg back. Richard Guest has had a problem in the yard which means that he could have some well-handicapped horses, however Donavon and Livingonaknifedge don't have the most consistent of profiles. Which Pocket looks on a stiff enough mark and is better against lesser opposition, whilst Ellerslie George acts well on this ground and is less exposed than many; his trainer has a profitable 20% strike-rate with his chasers at the track in recent seasons. Guesswork is involved as to which Manbow and which Mandingo Chief will turn up as both mix good performances with bad, and the same applies to the so far disappointing Olay Olay. A competitive heat, but we feel that Yes Sir's class could see him through.
Which Pocket (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until 6th, steadily lost place, behind when hit 10th, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Yes Sir (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led to halfway, tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced, 6th of 15, 24l behind Always Waining (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Sept.
Or de Grugy (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Behind, reminders 5th, soon struggling, never dangerous, last of 9, 43l behind Asudo (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Sept.
Borora 8-1 (11-9) Held up rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, one pace last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Alphabetical (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Aleron (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Sept, 14 ran.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Kenzo III (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Towards rear, outpaced when fell 4 out in race won by Eric's Charm (11-1) at Perth 3m hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 18 ran.
Manbow (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Behind, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Russian Sky (10-0) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
Olay Olay (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) In touch, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kings Euro (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Connemara Rose (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Asudo (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Sept.
Donovan (NZ) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Andrew Nick (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Sept.
