handily placed, outpaced before 2 out, never going pace to get back on terms, plugged on
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, well in touch 3rd, not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, stayed on towards finish
held up towards rear, closed 3rd, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, not fluent 3 out, kept on last and took 4th flat, not pace to get on terms
mostly 2nd until led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace
mid-division, closed going strongly 4th, 2nd from 2 out, led approaching last, soon went clear, idled flat, ridden out
held up in rear, headway on outside 2 out, unable to quicken before last, went 3rd and kept on under pressure flat
A competitive renewal of this Grade 2 featuring some of old favourites. It could be the swansong of last year’s runner-up The New One unless a visor has the desired effect, though he enjoys a big turnaround in the weights with the much-improved Silver Streak on Ffos Las running. Vision Des Flos and Summerville Boy were beaten out of sight by Buveur D’Air in the Fighting Fifth but the former will relish the return to a longer trip. The latter was beaten by Western Ryder on this card last year but had his revenge later and is still held in high regard. Brain Power hasn’t run over hurdles in 18 months while stablemate We Have A Dream has been finding life tough against older horses this season. OLD GUARD won this as a four-year-old and was third in 2016. He was only fifth last year but not beaten far and is almost guaranteed to run his race again so could be the value.
Old Guard 7-2 (11-6) Tracked clear leader, closer after 4th until after 6th, closer again 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind If The Cap Fits (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov.
The New One (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led until after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Silver Streak (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Silver Streak (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), chased front pair turning in, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, just held, 2nd of 18, nk behind Nietzsche (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Buveur D'Air (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Dec.
We Have A Dream (FR) 5-2 (11-3) Prominent in 3rd in chasing group, closer 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 6 1/2l behind If The Cap Fits (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, kept on into 3rd, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Buveur D'Air (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Brain Power (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, tracked leaders when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th and beaten from next, 4th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Western Ryder (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, effort after last (usual 2 out), kept on and every chance until ridden and no extra inside final furlong, lost 2 places towards finish, 5th of 18, 4l behind Nietzsche (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
