keen, tracked leaders, driven 4 out, chased winner last, kept on
towards rear, some headway approaching four out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 7th, weakened approaching next
held up mid-division, ridden four out, one pace and held from 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, every chance and jumped left 2 out, weakening and jumping left approaching last
held up, headway from 4 out, left distant 4th 3 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
prominent, led after 7th, headed 3 out and weakened
held up, headway 7th, weakend quickly and pulled up before 4 out
led, headed after 7th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
always in rear, slow jump 2nd
tracked leaders throughout, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on
in rear, headway 4 out, staying on to chase leading trio when fell 3 out
This is a really competitive start to proceedings and from a shortlist of KINGSTON LANE, Strong Rebel and The Gossmoor Yank we will side with the first-named. The selection has not been seen out since finishing down the field in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham , but his overall bumper form is solid enough and he could be up to the task of making a winning debut over hurdles. He goes well fresh and he is proven on the ground so he makes plenty of appeal. Strong Rebel was brought down at Cheltenham last time but he had won a Perth bumper in good style prior to that and the stable are in good form so he has to be afforded plenty of respect. The Gossmoor Yank hails from the Paul Nicholls yard and the market will provide the clues with regards to his chance. Alan King's Thetwincamdrift has got some solid bumper form in Ireland and any further rain would boost his chance on his hurdling bow as he is proven on a really testing surface. A tricky race for punters, but Kingston Lane makes plenty of appeal and he gets the vote.
Any Currency (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Black Mogul (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Ayemdee (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up, headway over 6f out, challenged over 3f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Dont Tell The Wife (10-9) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Copper Sound 13-2 (11-4) In touch, pushed along 6f outy, soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Little Josh (10-13) at Stratford 2m nhf (5) sft in Sept.
Cross Compliance (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 7th, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Great Endeavour (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Duke of Miskin 7-1 (11-7) A.p; lft in ld last; stayed on, won at Larkhill 2m 4f ptp sft in Mar beating Dr Flight (12-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Faneuil Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden over 6f out, soon behind, 4th of 9, 35l behind Brother Oscar (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Feb '07.
Judicial Flight 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 7f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Cypress Grove (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Kingston Lane (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led over 6f out, headed 4f out, soon weakened, 19th of 23, well behind Cousin Vinny (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Pharaon de Touzaine (FR) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, stumbled badly soon after start, ridden 4f out, soon beaten, 6th of 16, 40l behind Finney (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Quicolai (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up on outside, headway 5f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 13, 19l behind McMurrough (11-7) at Kelso 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Spirit of Lake (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off from next, 13th of 15, well behind Tchico Polos (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Strong Rebel (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden along when brought down 2 out in race won by Diablo (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Sun God 12-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 21l behind The Panama Kid (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
The Gossmoor Yank (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Captain Nash (12-0) at Summerhill 3m ire ptp gs in Apr.
Thetwincamdrift (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leader in 2nd, challenged under pressure from over 1f out, stayed on well to lead last strides, won at Limerick 2m 3f nhf hvy in Mar beating Jessies Dream (11-4) by a nk, 9 ran.
Gunner Rose 33-1 (10-12) Held up, brief effort approaching 4 out, 8th of 11, well behind Alderluck (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.