led until after 5th, stayed prominent approaching 4 out, led briefly after 2 out, kept on, no extra close home
always towards rear, tailed off after 7th
prominent, gradually lost place from 4th, towards rear when blundered badly and unseated rider 7th
never travelling, behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up after 9th, bled from the nose
held up, slightly hampered 7th, some headway next, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden after 8th, no impression until stayed on from 3 out
chased leaders, close 4th when blundered badly and unseated rider 7th
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, every chance approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders until slightly outpaced after 9th, not a danger after
mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden to press leaders 4 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead approaching last, hung left close home, all out
in touch, went prominent 4th, led after next, ridden and hard pressed from 4 out, headed after 2 out, no extra
Cousin Nicky gets the confident vote here with Supreme Catch and On Y Va rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Pardishar last time out. Granted this looks tougher but under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicapper. Supreme Catch rates the main danger on his latest second behind Erics Charm. This looks easier and off the same mark he will not be far away. On Y Va won well last time out when beating Trisons Star but he has yet to prove he stays this far and looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Bay Island is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and with this in mind for the winner we return to Cousin Nicky.
Holy Joe (FR) 22-1 (11-1) In touch, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened 12th, 6th of 17, 18l behind Yardbird (10-9) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Gumley Gale 25-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders until lost place 7th, 11th of 13, well behind Little Big Horse (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Sept.
Trust Fund (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, hit 2nd, mistake 6th, hampered 19th, never a factor, 5th of 18, 41l behind G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar.
Osiris (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up rear, losing touch when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Biliverdin (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Chased leader, weakened approaching 5 out pulled up at the 4th in race won by No Visibility (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
On Y Va (FR) 15-8jt-fav (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Trisons Star (10-11) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Supreme Catch (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (10-5) Held up, driven and headway after 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon no chance, 2nd of 13, 21l behind Eric's Charm (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Cousin Nicky 11-10fav (10-9) Made most, blundered 4 out, in command 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Pardishar (11-7) by 11l, 4 ran.
Dealer's Choice (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Roschal (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Feb '05.
Hever Road (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 9th, went 3rd after 4 out, no impression after, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Wild Oats (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Bay Island (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 9th, ridden, every chance from 2 out, ran on, 2nd of 6, shd behind Young Lorcan (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
He's The Guv'nor (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 4th, hit 11th, ridden 12th, hit 4 out, hard ridden but every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Simon (10-4) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Mar, 9 ran.
