always behind, ridden and struggling 9th, pulled up before 10th
chased leader, led 4th, headed 11th, kept on to go 2nd, flat
held up in touch, ridden 11th, soon weakened, blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, led 11th, clear 2 out, easily (hand timed)
led, mistake and headed 4th, 2nd when mistake and unseated rider 10th
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, one pace 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 11th, kept on one pace from 4 out
held up in mid-division, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, lost touch 11th, weakened next
prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened 11th
mid-division, headway 10th, chased winner 11th, lost 2nd flat, no extra
On all known form this should really be a penalty kick for Le Passing and we will take the eight-year-old to score from Gazump, Old Marsh and Perange. Paul Nicholls does well with the runners he sends hunter chasing such as previous Foxhunters' winner Sleeping Night and Le Passing is a chip off the old block. Only last season he was good enough to contest prizes such as the Robin Cook Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Racing Post Plate at the Festival and with trip and ground to suit here plus a stone and more in hand on official ratings this is his for the taking. Old Marsh acts on most going and was a course winner here over slightly shorter back in 2004. He has a good record of placings to runs over fences, just about gets this trip and is another favoured by the ratings and he can give the selection most to do. Gazump is not as good as he was three seasons ago when he looked a useful novice chaser but he should still be good enough to take a hand, while former Nicholls inmate Perange is also on the wane but might be good enough to make the frame. However, Le Passing simply looks a different class to this lot and is taken to score.
Galeaway (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tended to jump left, behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gielgud (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in May, 8 ran.
Gazump (FR) 7-1 (12-7) Led 7-12; sn wknd; pulled up in race won by Irilut (12-7) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Jan, 6 ran.
Ivanoph (FR) 9-1 (12-0) Held up; hdwy 14; wknd u.p 2 out, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Spring Grove (12-0) at Barbury 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Le Passing (FR) 11-8fav (12-7) Bhnd til hdwy 9; went 3rd 13; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Mel In Blue (12-7) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Multeen Gunner 9-1 (11-5) In touch, led 2nd, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Possible Gale (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Aug '05, 12 ran.
Old Marsh (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Dominican Monk (11-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Jul '05.
Perange (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, took closer order 8th, led approaching 12th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Beauchamp Oracle (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) gf in May.
Rustic John 25-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs; one pce 3 out, 4th of 15, 23l behind Lady Edison (11-7) at Barbury 3m ptp gd in Jan.
York Rite (AUS) 25-1 (11-10) Keen hold in touch, lost place after 10th, soon last of main group, well behind when mistake 14th, 6th of 10, well behind Honourable Spider (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 2f nov hts chs (6) gd in May.
It's Missy Imp 9-1 (11-2) 2nd of 13, 3l behind Lord Anner (11-8) at Woodford 3m ptp gd in Apr '04.
Carpet Ride 14-1 (10-3) Held up, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jamaaron (10-13) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
