towards rear, headway 5th, slightly hampered 6th, chased leader 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat
prominent, mistake 5th and 6th, lost touch 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, joined leader 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and quickened clear approaching last, kept on flat
held up last, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
chased leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
led to 2nd, prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard early, ridden and weakened 8th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace
held up, ridden 7th, soon no chance, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leader 3 out, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and lost touch 6th, pulled up before 2 out
DEFINITY created a big impression when scoring on his sole start between the flags in Ireland and can make a winning debut in a race which Paul Nicholls has won on six of the last ten years. Denman, Valley Henry and Shotgun Willy are among the role of honours of past winners of this contest and judging on the manner of Definity's 'points' victory, he looks a horse that could go a long way. Out of a former Irish Grand National winner in Ebony Jane, stamina should be his strong-point. Orion D'Oudairies disappointed on his first start of the season in soft ground at Aintree. He appeared a handicap good thing off 121 on the basis of his novice hurdle form but never travelled in the race. His third to Pettifour reads very well while the second and fourth both look very promising sorts also and if his valid excuses can be offered for his recent disappointment, he should prove a big threat to Definity. One Cool Knight is another Irish point-to-point winner in the field. He finished mid-division in a Thurles bumper on his sole racecourse start but does not appeal as a typical bumper sort. While staying trips will suit him, it may be not until a fence is put in front of him that he comes into his own. Jaunty Journey is a half-brother to smart performers Jaunty Times and Jaunty Flight. His three bumpers efforts are not worth overly reading into as he is another that will need a staying trip. It has the makings of a very interesting novice hurdle and Definity can win it and give Paul Nicholls a seventh success in the race.
Orion d'Oudairies (FR) 5-1fav (11-8) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Lysander (10-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Tir Gra (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway before next, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tarablaze (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Alfatrix (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 17, 25l behind Award Winner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Definity (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) won at Athlacca 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Mont Tresor (12-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Delightful Touch (FR) 100-1 (10-13) In touch to 5th, mistake 6th, struggling, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by How's Business (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Jaunty Journey 4-9fav (11-7) Led 2; lft wl clr 13; unchall, won at Paxford 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Lord Payne (12-0) by a distance, 4 ran.
Judicial Flight 250-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened 7th, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Master Cobbler (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Held up, steady headway from 6f out, chased winner 2f out, hung right over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Key Time (9-1) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gf in Aug '06 (Flat).
Might As Well 66-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, fourth and held when hit last, 5th of 14, 8l behind Cresswell Ruby (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f amt nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
More The Merrier (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (12-0) A.p; led aft 3 out til hdd & nt qckn flat, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Lord Shark (11-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Mar.
One Cool Knight (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, clear 6f out, strongly pressed 4f out, headed and no extra over 3f out, 6th of 17, 22l behind Oscar Time (11-9) at Thurles 2m 2f nhf gs in Jan.
Well Green (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Prominent, not fluent 1st, mistake 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Quoin 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 6f out, 8th of 12, 44l behind Abou Ben (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jul.
