tracked leaders, weakened 4th
always behind
led to 4th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced after 5th, chased clear pair approaching 3 out, kept on
towards rear, effort approaching 3 out, no impression
prominent, led 5th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace, no chance with winner
close up, led 4th to 5th, led again approaching 3 out, stayed on well
Hi Dancer is the one to be on, with Baffling Secret, Plenty Cried Wolf and Shares seen as the main dangers. Hi Dancer gained his second win over timber when scoring at Hereford just before Christmas, and as Pat Haslam's four-year-old can line up bang on the 10st mark, he must surely make a bold bid, with his pilot able to take 5lb off his back into the bargain. All ground seems to come alike to this versatile sort who was good enough to score on the all-weather at the start of last year, and is the one to beat here. Baffling Secret overcame a six-month absence to score at Newcastle last time, but he did not beat much and it is debatable as to whether there is any improvement to come. Plenty Cried Wolf is going the right way at least but has his fair share of weight, as does Shares, so all in all, Hi Dancer rates the best option.
Prince Among Men 20-1 (11-5) Always behind, 14th of 17, 26l behind Bogus Dreams (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Shares (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) In rear, outpaced after 2 out, never on terms, last of 6, well behind Torkinking (11-10) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Plenty Cried Wolf 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Leslingtaylor (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Baffling Secret (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, in touch, headway after 4 out, effort 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating That's Racing (10-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
Classy Chav (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped slow 1st, no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 31l behind The Abbots Habit (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Hi Dancer 5-2fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Canopus (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Endless Power (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, pushed along approaching 4 out, headway approaching next, ridden and soon weakened, 6th of 8, 11l behind Kempski (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
