held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, with leader, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 4 out, effort next, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, headway to lead before 3 out, drew clear last
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway and in touch approaching 3 out, chased winner next, kept on same place, no impression
ran in snatches on outside, headway 3 out, effort next, one pace approaching last
always behind, tailed off 3 out
ZAFFARELLA did enough last time to suggest that she might be up to winning this open heat, with Royal Flynn among the dangers. The selection was having her first run for Lucinda Russell at Newcastle last month, after a nine month absence from the track. Trip and ground appear to suit, and she was doing all of her best work at the finish, so with the benefit of that run she can improve to score today. Royal Flynn has dropped 7lb for his last two runs and is now on a more realistic mark. Trip and ground should also suit and Kate Walton's runner is respected. Tony McCoy is booked for the mount on American World and will have his supporters as a result. He will need to improve on what he has shown so far though. Stepchange comes from respected connections and ran well over further behind Bewery Man at Sedgefield last time and with conditions to suit he should be thereabouts once more. Pick of the Jim Goldie-trained pair looks to be Za Beau but his confidence won't be high after some jumping issues of late, while Pinewood Legend is a potential improver. We'll take Zaffarella to score.
American World (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch, weakened 5 out, 8th of 14, well behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Royal Flynn 9-2 (10-10) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 3rd, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 12l behind Nevsky Bridge (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Action Strasse (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 34l behind Original Fly (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov '07.
Stepchange (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led until headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Bewery Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Za Beau (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mistake and unseated rider in race won by Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Lady Chatelaine (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Brackenmoss (10-7) at Ayr 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Pinewood Legend (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, steady headway and in touch when mistake last, driven and kept on flat, never near leaders, 5th of 16, 21l behind Max Bygraves (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Cozwecan (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division until ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Just Posh (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Giant Star (USA) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, chased winner after 3 out to before next, weakened last, 7th of 14, 29l behind Woody Valentine (11-4) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Zaffarella (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Not fluent early, behind, headway 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 4th of 13, 11l behind Well Disguised (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Art Investor 250-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until ridden and weakened 4 out, 12th of 14, well behind Caravel (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Dec.
