held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, led after 3 out, kept on well from next
led, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up and keen, no impression from approaching 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, kept on, no impression from next
with leader, ridden and hit 2 out when every chance, hit last, one pace
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, stumbled next
always towards rear, reminders approaching 6th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, hit 6th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out
First time blinkers can do the trick here for Classical Ben, who can get home in front of Cotty's Rock and Classic Capers. The selection has been a fairly consistent sort, who already has winning form around this tight track in a bumper, and goes well on good to soft ground. Perhaps the ground was a little bit too soft for him last time when he was well beaten at Wetherby by the useful Mount Clerigo, but looking back through his form, the blinkers would not have to bring out too much improvement for him to land this. Cotty's Rock is another to consider on your shortlist. Trainer Howard Johnson thinks plenty of him, though he has disappointed twice so far, punctuated by a soft ground Sedgefield win in similar company in November. If he could be trusted to reproduce that then he wouldn't be far away. Meanwhile Classic Capers is one who will handle conditions and would have every chance if matching his effort when landing a Wetherby maiden hurdle in November. However, Malcolm Jefferson's runner has since flopped on both subsequent starts and has a bit to prove again. Our selection here then, is Classical Ben.
