prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well, driven out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
led to 3rd, chased leader, weakened 3 out
with leaders, weakened from 2 out
held up, headway when hit 4 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no extra towards finish
in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on
tracked leaders, dropped to rear from 3rd, weakened from 7th
with leaders, led 3rd, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
Whiteoak isn't dismissed but this is a big ask for the mare and our short-list, in order of preference, is Group Captain, Elusive Dream and Franchoek. Alan King has twice saddled a juvenile to finish second in this race in recent years, this is a big ask for the younger generation and Franchoek may suffer a similar fate although he should, in time, be suited by this longer trip. Elusive Dream has been targeted at this race rather than Cheltenham as connections felt that he'd be better suited to the demands of this track. He has looked very good on his day and excuses can be made for the defeats that he's suffered this season, he should go close. The selection was strongly fancied by connections at Cheltenham but failed to live up to expectations; however, he was still good enough to finish in front of Lightning Strike and Razor Royale and battled on dourly to the line despite never really travelling. Conditions here should be ideal for this ex-Flat racer who has got better and better over hurdles with each start. The blinkers should sharpen him up and enable Group Captain to lead them home.
Elusive Dream 9-4 (11-7) Held up, headway 6th, joined leader 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 8, 5l behind Lough Derg (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Group Captain 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear, reminders after 2nd, hit 7th, driven and headway approaching 2 out, hampered approaching last, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 6l behind Fiveforthree (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Lightning Strike (GER) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hung right approaching last, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 8l behind Fiveforthree (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Razor Royale (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 5th, ridden and headway after 3 out, every chance after 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 15, 17l behind Fiveforthree (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Franchoek (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Chased winner, ridden to challenge 2 out, switched left approaching last, kept on but always held, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Celestial Halo (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Whiteoak (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, steady headway 3 out, led approaching last, headed close home, rallied to regain lead post, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar beating Refinement (11-5) by a shd, 13 ran.
Kealshore Boy 6-4 (11-7) Chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Noble Alan (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, led flat, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Pascha Bere (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
