tracked leaders, hit 6th, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
in touch, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened next
held up towards rear, hampered approaching 4th, headway 3 out, switched left flat, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead post
mid-division, lost place 4 out, pulled up before next
led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, kept on
close up on outside, chased leader 4 out, ridden and lost place next, weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind, outpaced 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
hit 1st, behind, driven and headway 3 out, ridden last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, held on
mid-division, hit 4th, outpaced approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
Mr President finished down the field in this 12 months ago at Kempton but showed that his form that day was all wrong in two subsequent starts; however, lack of a run in the last 11 months is of concern and a safer bet may be Akilak who is preferred to Torkinking. The selection looked a gelding to keep on the right side of this term when finishing a creditable third in last season's Triumph Hurdle and while he has not seemingly progressed much since then, there should be more to come with a couple of runs under his belt. Buck Whaley is only banded class on the flat but looks better over hurdles judged by his win at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and he remains feasibly well treated. Andre Chenier is only 3lbs higher than when second to Motive at Musselburgh earlier this month and has to be considered. Amour Multiple is entitled to come on for his recent first start for new connections but probably needs to, while Texas Holdem is consistent but is seemingly held by the handicapper. Thoutmosis could be of interest having improved on the form of his reappearance run when a fair third at Market Rasen last time, while Kentucky Blue has claims on the form that he has shown in his last two starts but may find this coming too soon after his latest start. Torkinking was good value for his Sedgefield win under testing conditions last time and cannot be discounted under similar ground but he has more to do off his 10lb higher mark today and preference is for Akilak, who is taken to show his true form today.
Akilak (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden 5th, struggling after 3 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Feathard Lady (11-0) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Benbyas 8-1 (11-2) Led, headed 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Town Crier (11-8) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) sft in Jan '05, 8 ran.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Always prominent, led before 2 out, headed soon after, every chance last, edged right and kept on flat, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Mr President (GER) 1-2fav (11-10) Made all, quickened from 5th, in command 2 out, well clear when hit last, eased run-in, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb beating Enhancer (11-2) by 21l, 6 ran.
Rayshan (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Prominent early, weakened from halfway, 19th of 25, 44l behind Stutter (10-2) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Soon tracking leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace, no impression, 4th of 12, 21l behind Town Crier (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Torkinking (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Made all, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec beating Teme Valley (11-1) by 23l, 9 ran.
Texas Holdem (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.
Thoutmosis (USA) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, outpaced 7th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Smart Boy Prince (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra when headed last 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Motive (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Buck Whaley (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, 7th after 3 out, 4th and smooth headway 2 out, led entering straight, clear from last, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Dec beating Shifting Alliance (10-8) by 6l, 22 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, gradually weakened from next, 6th of 8, 5l behind Saif Sareea (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Dec.
