prominent, mistake 1st, led 4th, headed approaching 7th, chased leaders 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased winner next, challenged approaching 2 out, soon no impression
held up in rear, headway halfway, never on terms
mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, lost place halfway, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, mistake 5 out, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always behind
held up, mistake 6th, never nearer
held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, soon beaten
held up in touch, lost place halfway, soon behind
held up mid-division, chased leaders halfway, weakened 4 out
always prominent, led approaching 7th, clear before 10th, stayed on strongly
held up, mistake 6th, behind when pulled up 9th
led until 4th, tracked leaders, effort 4 out, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway after 3 out, never able to challenge
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders after next, never on terms
This looks a really competitive renewal for the Badger Ales Trophy with plenty of the 18 runners having claims but Paul Nicholls is beginning to hit form with his runners and his representative THE TOTHER ONE has his ideal conditions and may be good enough to take this on his reappearance reversing form from last season at Cheltenham with Alan King's Nenuphar Collonges with the main danger looking to be The Package. David Pipe's gelding did not look the easiest of rides when seemingly failing to go past Matuhi at Ludlow last month but the longer trip today should suit the six-year-old and it may be too soon to write him off. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in great form and recent Chepstow winner Beat The Boys has to be respected but a 13lb rise for that win looks harsh. Bob Buckler's Irish National winner Niche Market is now 9lbs higher for his reappearance and of more interest may be Mark Bradstock's Carruthers, who showed progressive form last term culminating with a decent fourth in the RSA Chase at the festival. The Alner's Bowleaze ran better when second over course and distance last month and he is another to consider along with West End Rocker. Alan King's gelding was pulled up in the Scottish National on his most recent start but the yard have their runners in good form so he has to be considered but preference is for The Tother One, who can given Paul Nicholls another winner.
Carruthers 13-2 (11-4) Made most, hit 8th, blundered badly 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, weakened, 4th of 15, 29l behind Cooldine (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gs in Mar.
The Tother One (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Held up in 5th, blundered 12th, switched left and staying on 3l 5th when blundered and fell 4 out, in a race won by Gone To Lunch (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs in Nov '08, 6 ran.
Nenuphar Collonges (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th before 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on, 4th of 17, 7l behind Ambobo (10-13) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 sft in May.
Niche Market (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division early, chased leaders before halfway where 6th , headway to 3rd 6 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, led 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gd in Apr beating Church Island (9-13) by 2l, 28 ran.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) In touch, mistake 6th (Beeches Brook), weakened 13th, 17th of 40, well behind Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Golden Flight (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, fell 1st, in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Made all, hit 5 out, clear before 2 out, eased flat, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct beating Coq Hardi (11-0) by 14l, 11 ran.
West End Rocker (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Towards rear, reminders after 10th, hampered 20th, beaten when pulled up before 22nd, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 17 ran.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) In rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 12th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 17, 19l behind Russian Around (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Eric's Charm (FR) 15-2 (11-2) In touch, reminders 11th, outpaced next, no danger after, 5th of 7, well behind Possol (11-2) at Perth 3m chs (2) gd in Apr.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 5-1fav (11-7) Towards rear, hit 11th, headway into mid div 13th, hit 4 out, stayed on to chase leaders next, kept on well flat, 4th of 11, 5l behind Lyes Green (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Valley Ride (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, soon in touch, led approaching 3 out, challenged last, kept on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep beating War Of The World (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Jumped right, raced keenly, with leaders, led 9th, hung right after 2 out, joined last, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Preacher Boy 25-1 (9-9) Chased leader, steadily lost place from 19th, soon well behind, 13th of 19, 50l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '08.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) With leader, led 6th, kept on well from last, headed near finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Shadow Dancer (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Fair Point (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Led, headed 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 38l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Bowleaze (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Led until 10th, remained prominent, led again 16th, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Toby Jug (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
The Package 4-7fav (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway 4th, went close 2nd 12th, ridden and lugged right after 3 out, driven to challenge when slightly stopped flat, outbattled, 2nd of 7, nk behind Matuhi (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
