chased leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, driven along after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on
chased leaders, went 2nd just after 5th, led next, not fluent 2 out, ridden and kept on well, flat
held up, mistake 5th, effort 6th, behind from 7th, tailed off
led to 3rd, behind from next, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, not fluent 2nd, led 3rd to 6th, ridden 2 out, still every chance approaching last, weakened flat
raced keenly, held up in touch, shaken up approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd, flat
held up, lost touch before 7th, tailed off
It is very hard to look beyond Wichita Lineman, who is yet another horse that has stacks of untapped potential and may be too hot to handle for the likes of Massini's Maguire and Paulo Dancer. The last named has course and distance experience and easily holds Blazing Batman judging by their encounter here 18 days ago. However, that form is nothing out of the ordinary and further improvement is needed today. Massini's Maguire is a useful stayer in the making and, considering his trainer's current run of good form, he has to be placed on the shortlist. He gets 3lb from the selection and is more than capable of making this a good test. Juveigneur is interesting on his hurdling and is worth monitoring for signs of each-way support. However, this is a competitive introduction to racing over timber and nothing short of his best will be good enough. Even then it may not be good enough to stop Witchita Lineman, who oozed class when winning on his seasonal debut at Aintree last month. As a half-brother to the top-class Rhinestone Cowboy, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding can be expected to cope with the step up in trip and it will come as a major surprise if he is brushed aside without a fight today.
Paulo Dancer (FR) 8-15fav (11-3) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, led soon after, in command 2 out, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct beating Legally Fast (10-12) by 22l, 11 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) In touch, led after 3 out, soon ridden, jumped left last, soon clear, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Silverburn (10-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up and not fluent 1st, took closer order 6th, ridden when hit 9th, weakened next, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Kanpai (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Ackhurst (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after next, weakening when left 4th and hampered 3 out, 4th of 14, 47l behind Ornais (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Blazing Batman 8-1 (10-8) Never a factor, 5th of 9, 27l behind Elgar (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Imperial Commander (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Made all, ridden and ran on strongly final 2f, won at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gs in Oct beating Snap Tie (11-7) by 8l, 18 ran.
Juveigneur (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened approaching 18th and pulled up at the 21th in race won by Run For Paddy (10-2) at Ayr 4m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, pushed out, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Bonnet's Pieces (10-10) by 7l, 15 ran.
