prominent, chased leader 3 out, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, hard ridden flat, ran on well to lead close home
led, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace after
held up last, headway 3 out, switched left and shaken up approaching 2 out, no impression after
held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch 8th
chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, reminder and lost place 6th, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway and chased leader 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, hard ridden flat, headed close home
Nonrunner
David Pipe's horses are in great form at present and so Itsmyboy is the one that gets the decision, ahead of stable companion Team Tassel and Leading Contender. The selection is a very lightly raced six-year-old but was progressing nicely during 2005. He does return from a long break but that is rarely a problem with this stable and a big run is expected. Leading Contender is just that on this season's form. He showed tremendous courage to hold on to beat Carnival Town at Chepstow last month. He would have won easily but for a mistake at the third last and if his jumping doesn't let him down he should be in the shake up. Team Tassel struggled over fences last season but has contested some very good hurdle events in the past and could go close here at decent odds. Recent winner Mikado is another worthy of respect, but Itsmyboy has more scope than most of these and he gets our tentative vote.
Lord Sam (IRE) (10-8) Held up, headway halfway, droped back quickly and pulled up behind Mid Dancer (10-3) at Auteuil 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jun, 10 ran.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Made all, pressed 2 out, driven and in command last, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Wee Dinns (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Raced wide, close up, led 4 out, pressed and hit 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed last, rallied to regain lead flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Oct '05 beating Theocritus (10-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Team Tassel (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) With leader until 8th, soon driven along, faded from 11th, behind, pulled up before 4 out pulled up in race won by Glacial Delight (11-10) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr, 7 ran.
Mikado 9-1 (11-8) Made all, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Nobel (11-1) by 3l, 17 ran.
Tora Bora (GER) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden and challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, rallied last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Buena Vista (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft.
Special Rate (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In touch, pushed along 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Heir To Be (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Leading Contender (IRE) 8-15fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader and mistake 3 out, led soon after, mistake last, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Carnival Town (10-12) by a shd, 11 ran.
Lyes Green 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Kipsigis (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, hit 5th, headway to track leaders after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Ben's Turn (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Burntoakboy 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Mikado (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
