tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden and every chance approaching last, 4th and no extra flat
mid-division, reminder after 4th, lost place when hampered next, soon behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up after
led, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on flat but no impression on winner final 150 yards
tracked leader until 7th, lost place before 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway 3 out, chasing leaders next, soon outpaced, weakened before last
held up, in rear, fell 5th
tracked leaders, 2nd 7th, ridden to lead and edged right before last, wandered flat, ridden clear
towards rear, mistake 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, in mid-division, on inside, closed 3rd, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, switched right and left before last, jockey unbalanced briefly on landing last
in rear, slow and behind 2nd, not fluent and struggling 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up after
Dashing Oscar was only third at Taunton on Friday while stablemate Steel Bob makes his hurdling debut at an elevated level. Baden landed the odds at Wetherby but this is a much tougher assignment while Pingshou carries a big penalty for winning a Class 3 here last month when Sumkindofking disappointed. Coo Star Sivola was sent to Auteuil in November for a Grade 1 but never figured and is proving difficult to place. MINOTAUR was struggling to get on terms with eventual winner Charlemar when blundering at the last at Aintree but he came in for significant market support that day so must have been showing plenty at home. A classy sort on the Flat, he may be worth another chance with the step up in trip likely to suit. Poetic Rhythm may be the pick of the remainder ahead of Report To Base.
Pingshou (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Soon led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, led before last, hung left flat, driven and stayed on well to assert towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec beating William Henry (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Baden (FR) 4-9fav (10-12) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead last, held on well near finish, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec beating Kafella (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Report To Base (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 35 3/4l behind Reigning Supreme (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders on last bend, no extra last, 7th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Pingshou (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Cheltenam De Vaige (FR) 150-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, 26l behind Volpone Jelois (10-7) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) (10-7) 8th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Capivari (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f sft in Nov.
Minotaur (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left 2nd, switched right before 2 out, soon went 2nd, went left and mistake last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Charlemar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led early, tracked leaders, every chance before last, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 12, 8l behind Pingshou (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Steel Bob (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead 2 1/2f out, clear 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in Sep beating Angelica Yeats (11-3) by 12l, 6 ran.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Chased leaders, chased (clear) leader 4th, closed before 2 out, where every chance but lost 2nd, driven in 3rd and stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind The Unit (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
