tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, last 6th, still only modest 6th 2 out, ran on well flat, took 2nd last strides
led until 7th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 3 out, hit 2 out, every chance flat, unable to quicken when lost 2nd last strides
took keen hold, in touch towards rear, not fluent 6th or 7th, weakened after 3 out, soon eased and pulled up
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 3 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish
in touch towards rear, headway 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
always behind, tailed off
pressed leader, led 7th, driven and hard pressed by several flat, stayed on gamely
If fit and ready first time back after missing last season RUTHENOISE looks the one to beat here. Nicky Henderson is more than capable of getting one ready first time up and based on his ninth placing in the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when with David Pipe he looks the form choice. Swiss Art looks a danger after back to back scores and is open to more improvement on handicap debut while Dontpaytheferryman looks off a fair mark after two good efforts over fences.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 5th of 9, 7l behind Son Of Flicka (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Apr.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 2-1fav (11-0) Led,headed approaching 7th, left in lead 8th, headed approaching 10th, ridden approaching 13th, no impression from next, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Big Burrows (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Ruthenoise (FR) 2-1 (10-6) Led, jumped left 4th, not fluent 5th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 44l behind Pterodactyl (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '09.
Topenhall (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, with leader, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 10l behind Nether Stream (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Coolnaharan (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, chased winner last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Reportage (10-12) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Aug.
Royal Max (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching next, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 14l behind Working Title (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Swiss Art (IRE) 4-9fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 2 out, went left and not fluent last, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Django Reinhardt (10-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Choctaw Nation 4-1fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 4l behind General Smith (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Cubism 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3rd, beaten 3 out, 4th of 10, 27l behind Basford Lass (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Aug.
Benmadigan (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 16l behind Word Of Warning (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gf in Jul.
