tracked winner throughout, ridden and no chance with winner before 3 out
in rear, headway before 6th to chase leaders, weakened before 3 out
made all, clear from 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 6th, headway to go 3rd before 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
always towards rear, pulled up 3 out
Los Nadis is 8lb higher than his win at Perth in September and would prefer faster ground, but the unexposed Little Hercules looks capable of a bold bid stepping up in distance for the first time. TEENAGE IDOL is in good heart at present and finished a decent third in better company at Haydock last time. Today's going is no problem and, with a conditional taking 7lb off his back, Evelyn Slack's charge gets the nod. Master Act has also been in better form of late and makes most appeal of the remainder.
Los Nadis (GER) 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, ridden flat, went 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Oscargo (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Little Hercules (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd when hit last, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Desert Cry (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Teenage Idol (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, headway 4th, led next, headed soon after last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
The Starboard Bow 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 6th, soon pushed along, weakened soon after 4 out, behind when went left and mistake 2 out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Bow Badger (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Kempski 16-1 (10-13) Led, headed on long run between last 2, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Fentara (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Master Act (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) With leader, driven 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Jackson Cage (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.