in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened from 2 out
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
held up and keen, weakened from 4 out
always behind, weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, chased winner when blundered next, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, one pace from next
in touch, weakened after 4 out, blundered next, soon pulled up
led to 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
chased leader, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
in touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, weakened after next
always prominent, led 4 out, clear from last
held up in touch, weakening when hit 4 out, behind when blundered 2 out
towards rear, weakened from 5th
always behind, struggling from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
keen, behind, saddle slipped after 1st, pulled up before next
Lease Lend and All For The Cause have both shown decent form over hurdles and have to be respected but they have penalties to carry for their earlier successes and may struggle to give weight away to Striking Article, who gets the vote to make a winning debut over timber. The selection has looked well above average in winning bumpers at Fairyhouse and Carlisle and, sure to have been well schooled by Howard Johnson, he could be just too classy for his rivals today. Aperitif showed promise on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter when last seen in June and would have to be respected, along with Bazart, who should come on for his Ayr debut. Striking Article could be a decent recruit though and he is preferred.
All For The Cause (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden clear when hit last, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs beating Berwick Law (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lease Lend 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Watch My Back (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Aperitif 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, headway to lead approaching 3rd, heading approaching 2 out, hung left flat, one pace, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Cottingham (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Ballabrook (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left and weakening when fell at the last in race won by Sir Monty (11-5) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Nov, 18 ran.
Bazart 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Quicuyo (11-5) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) hvy.
Final Veto 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 15l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Foursquare Flyer (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 15 ran.
Herbie (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind, 9th of 14, well behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Jaassey 40-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mister Pete (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
Nicky Tam (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent, behind from halfway, 8th of 16, 35l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Not Well (IRE) (12-0) won at Bruff 3m ire ptp gd in Mar '05 beating Private View (12-0) by a distance, 8 ran.
Striking Article (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Raced keenly in touch, smooth headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, pushed out, readily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Another Brother (10-7) by 6l, 14 ran.
Top Mark 9-4fav (9-7) Made all, challenge from 3f out, ridden and stayed on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Gallego (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran (Flat).
Top Seed (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 15th of 16, well behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Treefella (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, behind when fell 4 out in race won by Rightway Star (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Young Alf 50-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders 6f, last of 14, 49l behind Fresh Air And Fun (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May.
Navelina 80-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by John Forbes (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
