took keen hold, chased leader, not fluent 4th, hard ridden and no impression when hit 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last
in touch when not fluent 1st, soon lost place, reminders after 3rd, not keen and behind from 5th
held up towards rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd or 4th, mistake 5th, staying on same pace in 6th when fell 2 out
disputed lead to 1st, chased leaders, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
soon not going well, behind and pulled up before 4th
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, weakened 2 out
made all, clear 3rd, blundered 6th and 2 out, unchallenged
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced 5th, rallied 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden to go 4th after 5th, weakened 2 out
CHORD, Silver Bank and Street Warrior are the trio to focus on here with Chord the selection. Silver Bank lost his maiden tag at the thirteenth attempt when landing a similar contest last time at Hereford. That was his first drop into this company, after showing some ability in handicaps. He can go well but has a little to find at the weights. Street Warrior is a dual winner on the Flat, and though his recent efforts on the level have tailed off, he has shown ability in non selling events over hurdles and looks interesting. Chord is also a dual Flat winner, and is more exposed than some of his rivals over hurdles. However, he was third in a maiden hurdle last time, form which gives him a slight edge over his rivals. Chord is well treated at the weights, and can make that tell here.
Bret Maverick (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, mistake 8th and 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Villochely (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Chord 2-1 (11-0) Chased leader, hit 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed went hit 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Know The Law (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Lord of Dreams (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Silver Bank (10-6) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd.
Pistol Hill 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off and fell 2 out, in a race won by Art Trend (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) fm in Mar, 11 ran.
Riccardo (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) In rear, mistake 2nd, behind next, headway after 9th, mistake and weakened next, no chance and hampered 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Iris's Flyer (10-9) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 11 ran.
Russian Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Behind, outpaced over 5f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, well behind Frascati Park (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Jul.
Silver Bank 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, hit next, soon driven to challenge, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd beating Harlequinn Danseur (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Street Warrior (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 6th, steady headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon held, 4th of 14, 14l behind Horseford Hill (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Suragot (FR) (10-10) in a race won by Hen (9-9) at Pau(FR) 2m 1f clm chs gd in Feb '06, 11 ran.
Thunderwing (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Can't Remember (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gf.
Ras Laffan 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 5th, slightly hampered 3 out, soon ridden, no extra last, 6th of 15, 7l behind Quiditch D'ouxy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
