held up towards rear, driven along after 11th, hit 13th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 1st and 3rd, weakened 13th, pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 13th, one pace and beaten when hit 2 out
in touch, driven after 11th, mistake next, pulled up before 13th
with leaders, led from 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on
with leaders, lost place 6th, reminders after 11th, hit 13th when weakening
led to 5th, chased leaders until weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, blundered 13th, headway 15th, ridden and every chance when not fluent 3 out, one pace from next
in rear, lost place from 4 out
In this stamina test, Harlov is selected ahead of Devil's Run, Brandy Wine and Moon Mist. Harlov stays well and is only three pounds above his latest winning mark and looked to be returning to form last time and today's softer going will suit better than in that contest. Brandy Wine is lightly-raced and promising but still has it to prove off his current rating, although his second to Ebony Light three runs ago looks even better now given that horse's subsequent success. Devil's Run would certainly hold a chance based on his form of last spring and, indeed, his 2003 form, but Mickey Croke arguably lacks chasing experience. Almire du Lia is edging back towards a more reasonable mark, while Ta Ta For Now is actually below a winning mark now, but that came on good to firm and he has not performed well in six subsequent runs. Moon Mist is back to the mark from which he won here in February of last year so holds a chance on that basis, but Best China and Trovaio have it to prove on these terms. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Harlov.
Harlov (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Prince of Slane (9-13) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Brandy Wine (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Held up, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by Kinburn (11-12) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Devil's Run (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Philson Run (11-6) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 17 ran.
Mickey Croke 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, soon behind, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Vicario (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Almire du Lia (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, left in lead 10th, headed 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Skenfrith (10-0) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Ta Ta For Now 33-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, well behind Red Perk (10-4) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Moon Mist 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Matmata de Tendron (9-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Best China (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, progress into 6th 4 out, kept on same pace straight, 4th of 17, 14l behind Huncheon Paddy (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-100 gs in Feb.
