chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3rd, led and hit 3 out, hit last, driven out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on from last
in touch, chased leading pair approaching 5th, ridden and no impression after 4 out,
chased leaders, blundered 6th, pulled up soon after
always towards rear
held up, mistake 1st, never dangerous
held up in rear, some headway approaching 5th, no impression
This has the makings of a three way go between Cedrus Libani, Sunday City and Caraman and we will take Cedrus Libani to score. Howard Johnson's gelding beat the useful yardstick Tramantano in a match at Aintree last time and looks set to be rated around 140 when the assessor finally gets to grips with him, so if he runs to that sort of mark then he should not see much of his rivals. Sunday City looks next best and can take advantage of any slip ups with the selection. He enjoys a sound surface like today's and is effective from two miles to two-and-a-half, so he can go well but may just have too much to find at these weights. Caraman makes his chase debut and was rated 127 over hurdles, so that would give him a fair bit to find even if he jumps well on his first start over the bigger obstacles and with nothing else making appeal Cedrus Libani is taken to score.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Made all, shaken up approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Aintree 2m nov chs (2) gd in Nov beating Tramantano (11-7) by 2l, 2 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 11-2 (11-6) Held up, hit 8th, weakened from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Nevertika (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Caraman (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Double Vodka (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Led and soon clear, jumped right and headed 8th, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Desert Quest (11-6) at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Dispol Peto 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling halfway, 7th of 11, well behind Issaquah (10-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Just Posh 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Felinious (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Sept, 15 ran.
Sunisa (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) gf, 10 ran.
