tracked leaders, led 2nd, not fluent 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on one pace
tracked leader, hampered 1st, close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in rear 2nd, pushed along 5th, behind when blundered 3 out, tailed off
keen held up, headway 3 out, pushed along next, kept on same pace
close up, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden to lead when edged left approaching last, ran on
in touch, outpaced 4th, pulled up next
led, jumped right 1st, headed next, tracked leader until 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
keen in rear, ridden and some headway 2 out, never nearer
Book of Secrets won on Polytrack at the end of last year and has joined a powerful NH stable but he lacks a recent run unlike PAINLESS POTTER, who came up against a couple of previous winners on his hurdles bow at Kempton and only weakened approaching the last. Saint Segal is jumps bred so may prove the pick of the remainder.
Book of Secrets (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) In touch in rear, hampered approaching 8f out, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 5, 3 3/4l behind Swinton Noon (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Forever Forward (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and rallied at 2f, every chance inside final furlong, weakened, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind All Things Bright (8-8) at Redcar 1m 2f stks (5) sft in Oct.
Jack Kennedy 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, raced keenly, mistake 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 36 1/4l behind Twilight Twist (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Painless Potter (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Keen close up in 4th, headway when hit 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Knight Salute (11-4) at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Saint Segal (FR) Saint Des Saints gelding out of Bal Celtique.
Tanglewood Tales 9-2 (8-13) Towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Ascot Day (10-2) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Jul.
The Guvnor (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Towards rear of mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 35 1/2l behind Forever Blessed (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Rattling Rosie 12-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, always towards rear, 7th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Wink Of An Eye (9-7) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
The Bravest (GER) 7-2 (10-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th or 7th, well beaten from 3 out, 5th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Steinkraus (11-12) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
