in touch, disputing 2nd when hit 2 out, not much room soon after, stayed on same pace last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, hanging left when hit last, ran on flat
pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched right and bumped after last, ran on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not troubled winner
in touch, raced keenly, jumped left and bumped 1st, beaten when blundered 2 out, weakened
mid-division, raced keenly, mistake 3rd, headway on outside before next, beaten before last, weakened flat
mid-division, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, not fluent last, soon headed, faded and lost 2 places final 100 yards
in touch, disputing 4th when blundered last, stayed on
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not reached leaders, stayed on same pace last
not fluent 2nd, always towards rear
prominent, losing place when hit 4th, soon behind
raced keenly, soon well placed, weakened after 3 out and eased
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened after 3 out and eased
always behind, detached 4th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, never reached leaders and no impression
led, hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra last
held up towards rear, struggling 5th, well behind when mistake 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon tracking leaders, challenged last, soon led, ran on well
held up in rear, slow 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, never in contention
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway before next, weakened well before 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up, raced keenly, mistake 2nd, hit 3rd, always towards rear
prominent, jumped right and bumped 1st, weakened after 5th
prominent, lost place after 2nd, in rear when blundered 4th, soon well behind, tailed off
This looks a cracking renewal of the Fred Winter with the large majority of the 24 runners coming into this in good form and marginal preference is for David Pipe's MR THRILLER, who should appreciate the softer ground here than in Saturday's Imperial Cup, and he gets the verdict ahead of stable companion Ronaldo Des Mottes and Higgy's Boy. Nicky Henderson's team were slightly out of form when he disappointed here in January but the son of Choisir bounced back to form when successful at Doncaster last month and he has to be respected. Eddie O'Grady's Alexander Severus, a close up third in a handicap at Leopardstown last time, looks the pick of the Irish runners ahead of Flag Of Honour and El Presidente. Amore Mio looks plenty high enough in the weights for his debut in handicap, while Silk Affair may struggle to defy the penalty incurred for his win at Folkestone last month. Alan King's Saticon has shown a decent level of form and has to be considered but he again likely to be placed at best, while stable companion Balzaccio may need more time. It is to be hoped that Miss Sarenne is none the worse for her tumble at Plumpton last month and she has to be considered given Nicky Henderson's great strength in the hurdling department this term. David Pipe's Ronaldo Des Mottes looks to be going the right way and could be well treated but marginal preference is for fellow Pipe runner Mr Thriller, who should be better suited by the underfoot conditions today than at Sandown on Saturday.
Mr Thriller (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 19, 14l behind Dave's Dream (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Saticon 11-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led well before 2 out, headed 2 out, chased winner after, no chance from last, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Hebridean (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Ski Sunday 7-4fav (11-8) Held up, hit 5th, headway next, led when blundered 2 out, soon in command, easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Nothing Is Forever (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 8-13fav (11-7) Held up, headway 3rd, tracked leading pair after 5th, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, held when switched right flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Nictory Vote (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Giorgio Quercus (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Tracked leader, went prominent 5th, ridden and led 2 out, driven and kept on flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb beating Nine Stories (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Alexander Severus (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run before last, 9th last, kept on run-in, just failed, 3rd of 16, nk behind See U Bob (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb.
Indian Groom (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden approaching last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Stow (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Helium (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no chance with front pair from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Hebridean (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Higgy's Boy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged last, shaken up to lead flat, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Terrasini (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Amore Mio (GER) 9-4 (10-12) Made all, challenged 2 out, pressed last, ran on, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Optimus Maximus (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Flag Of Honour (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway in 9th 2 out, ridden into 4th last, kept on well run-in, every chance close home, just failed, 2nd of 16, hd behind See U Bob (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb.
Miss Sarenne (FR) 10-11fav (10-4) Chased leaders, led 4 out, travelling strongly and clear when fell at the last in race won by Quaspia (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
El Presidente (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened before straight, last of 6, well behind Ebadiyan (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 sft in Jan.
Resounding Glory (USA) 10-3 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, 39l behind Stow (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Tobago Bay 16-1 (11-2) Led, blundered 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, 6th and beaten when not fluent last, 6th of 15, 12l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Art Exhibition (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until ridden after 3 out and soon weakened, 5th of 7, 38l behind Hebridean (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Silk Affair (IRE) 2-13fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before last, switched right and soon challenging, led early flat, driven right out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Lindy Lou (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 3-1 (11-4) With leader, led 4 out, headed approaching next, hung left from 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Resounding Glory (11-4) at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (1) gf in Oct.
Woolfall Treasure 1-5fav (11-5) Made all, slow jump 4th and next, came clear before last, ridden right out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Karky Schultz (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Balzaccio (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leader, led after 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 18l behind Starluck (11-8) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Kahsabelle (FR) 4-1 (10-2) Tracked leading pair, mistake 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, narrowly headed last, stayed challenging under pressure, no extra, held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Santia (11-1) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Bruslini (FR) 11-8fav (10-7) Led, not fluent 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 32l behind Aachen (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Simarian (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leader, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, regained modest 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Walkon (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Love And Glory (FR) 7-2 (10-13) In touch, headway after 3 out, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind King Brex (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
