took keen hold in touch, hit 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd flat
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression on winner
prominent until pulled up before 4th
took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd 4th, weakened after 8th, tailed off
held up, mistake 7th, not fluent 8th, soon outpaced
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 8th, one pace from 3 out, weakened flat
led, hit 6th, headed after 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, headway to led after 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, regained lead 2 out, drew clear after last comfortably
A Grade 2 contest that has brought together some useful novices, with our choice being Pole Star ahead of Mephisto, Chilling Place and Only Vintage. Pole Star ran a blinder at Cheltenham to finish fourth in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle, and that rates as the best form on offer here, particularly when you consider that he is receiving weight from a number of today's rivals. These include Mephisto, who has looked progressive and talented in winning his last two races, the latest at Grade 2 level over three miles at Haydock. Turpin Green is 12 pounds better off for the 13 lengths he finished behind him that day but Mephisto might have his measure again. It is interesting that Mephisto's stablemate, No Refuge, beat Pole Star at Cheltenham, and Only Vintage's stable companion, Racing Demon, was also ahead of the selection at Prestbury Park. The latter, who was well beaten in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last time, is well regarded by his handler and could yet improve at this longer trip. Forager was just ahead of Only Vintage at Cheltenham, but the story could be different today, although he is useful, while Bagan split the pair at the Festival, and might fall short again today. However, Chilling Place was ahead of all three of them in the 'Supreme', where he finished sixth and might yet hold their measure again. Finally, with the Irish challenge not looking that strong, My Way de Solzen - who was another Supreme also-ran - might find life tricky under his penalty although, in keeping with a number of those already mentioned, he is stepping up in trip. It all adds up to a very good race, with the vote going to Pole Star.
Mephisto (IRE) 4-5fav Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, hard pressed flat, stayed on gamely, won at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Mar beating Faasel by a hd, 9 ran.
My Way de Solzen (FR) 8-1 Prominent, hit 4th and next, soon ridden and weakened before 3 out, 15th of 20, 49l behind Arcalis at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Chilling Place (IRE) 9-1 Pressed leader, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 20, 12l behind Arcalis at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Forager 25-1 Prominent to approaching 6th, behind when mistake last, 16th of 20, 38l behind No Refuge at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Chetwind Music (IRE) 10-1 Settled 4th, 3rd 5 out, 2nd approaching 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Arc En Ciel at Thurles 2m nov hdl hvy in Mar.
Only Vintage (USA) 12-1 Pulled hard, in touch to 3rd, soon well behind, 19th of 20, well behind Arcalis at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Pole Star 12-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 20, 3 1/2l behind No Refuge at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
South Bronx (IRE) 50-1 In touch, mistake 4 out, outpaced after next, 4th of 9, 39l behind Mephisto at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Mar.
Turpin Green (IRE) 9-2 Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, chased leader 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Mephisto at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Feb.
Bagan (FR) 16-1 Mid-division, lost place after 6th, soon behind, 17th of 20, 39l behind No Refuge at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
