always in the rear
mid-division to rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leader from 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, reminders 5th, headway to go in touch soon after, weakening when hit 3 out
led and keen 1st, headed next, weakened after 6th
held up mid-division, headway 6th, led after 3 out, ridden 2 out, blundered last, ridden out
mid-division, ridden and effort after 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
led 2nd, hit 4th, weakened quickly and headed after 3 out
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no extra
mid-divsion to rear, ridden 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, smooth headway to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace from last
held up towards rear and keen, some headway 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
always towards rear
in touch, hit 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakening approaching last
in touch, weakened quickly 4th, jumped left next, soon lost touch
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders and one pace
This is not surprisingly a very competitive event and we will side with Tarlac to get the better of Tipperary All Star and Well Mounted. The selection was given a very confident ride by Tony McCoy when scoring here last month and he looks the type that will improve with his racing. He will appreciate the juice in the ground and he looks the obvious choice. Tipperary All Star is an Irish raider and he is sure to have his supporters after his easy win at Cheltenham last time, but the handicapper has taken note and he has more on his plate today on these terms. Well Mounted is interesting as the age and weight trends suggest that David Casey's mount has every chance of going close and it would be no surprise if he were to claim some place money. Overstrand is in great form and with the talented Sam Jones taking a handy 7lbs off his back he has to enter calculations. However, Tarlac looks a classy sort and he just edges the vote.
Tipperary All Star (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Raced wide, held up well in rear, smooth headway on bit to track leaders 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led last, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Nov beating Bonchester Bridge (10-8) by 4l, 20 ran.
Premier Dane (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, outpaced approaching next, kept on well from last, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Tous Chez (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Chief Yeoman 33-1 (11-0) Behind, headway, hit last, kept on flat, 12th of 29, 14l behind Desert Quest (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Desert Air (JPN) 25-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, joined leader 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon every chance, hampered last, kept on, 4th of 9, 10l behind Noble Request (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Chased winner until 3rd, soon pushed along, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 9, 21l behind Detroit City (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Overstrand (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon chased leader, led approaching last, drew right away flat, easily, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy beating Whispered Promises (11-7) by 7l, 17 ran.
Nathos (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Held up and always in rear, 14th of 17, 37l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Acambo (GER) 16-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led last, soon hung left, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May beating Callow Lake (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
Astronomic 100-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after next, 13th of 17, 36l behind Wellbeing (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Verasi 11-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened under pressure approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 17l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Symphonique (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, weakened next, last of 5, 22l behind Into The Shadows (10-5) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Tarlac (GER) 4-5fav (11-3) Held up, steady headway 4 out, shaken up to lead after last, easily, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Nov beating Fait Le Jojo (11-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Pirate Flagship (FR) 11-8 (11-11) Not fluent, chased winner, mistake and reminder 6th, driven and no chance with winner 3 out, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Priors Dale (11-11) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Victram (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Settled in rear, headway to 7th 4 out, 5th 2 out, improved to 3rd last, kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Nov beating Moore's Law (10-7) by a shd, 12 ran.
Prime Contender 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 12, 23l behind Blazing Bailey (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Well Mounted (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Led, disputed briefly half-way, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra, kept on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Victram (10-3) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Nov.
Star Shot (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Behind, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 17, 17l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Kings Quay 6-5fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway and every chance approaching 2 out, held when hit last, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Pilca (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Tamreen (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until mistake and lost place 3rd, soon driven along making headway when hit 2 out, stayed on, 5th of 11, 16l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Pilca (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
