tracked leaders, ridden after normal 3 out, weakened before omitted last
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, lost place after normal 2 out, weakened approaching omitted last
held up in rear, pushed along before 3rd, struggling from next, behind when pulled up before normal 3 out
tracked leaders on outside, 2nd after normal 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, one pace in 4th bypassing omitted last
pressed leader, mistake 3rd, led 5th, edged right flat, stayed on well
held up towards rear on outside, lost place normal 3 out, behind when blundered next
led until not fluent 5th, mistake normal 3 out, soon weakened
held up, not fluent normal 3 out, soon closed, 2nd before omitted last, soon ridden, stayed on, unable to challenge winner
tracked leaders on inside, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden after normal 2 out, not pace of front pair from omitted last
Yanworth won this last year en route to finishing second at The Festival and Alan King has won three of the last five. He saddles Keep In Line, who has been holding his own in this company since recording back-to-back wins in October. Wholestone have won three of his four starts this campaign, including in this grade over 3m at the track last time. He has to go on the short-list while further improvement is likely from the unbeaten pair Topofthegame and Kimberlite Candy and also Newbury winner William Henry. COO STAR SIVOLA (NAP) had some cracking form as a juvenile and it was a surprise that he was relatively easy to back when successful over course and distance on New Year’s Day. The fourth, Pingshou, had beaten William Henry here earlier and Nick Williams’ charge should not be underestimated. Elegant Escape wasn’t disgraced in the Challow Hurdle last month and is another to consider.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 7th, ridden to lead and edged right before last, wandered flat, ridden clear, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan beating Report To Base (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in 4th, pushed along before 3 out, edged left and outpaced 2 out, modest 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 7l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec beating Acdc (10-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Topofthegame (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader until 2nd, tracked leading pair, 2nd again on long run before 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, clear between last two, awkward last, idled badly and hung left run-in, just held on, won at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) gs in Dec beating Criq Rock (11-0) by shd, 8 ran.
Wholestone (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Held up, closed to chase leader after 3rd, mistake 8th, led before last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Ami Desbois (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Keep In Line (GER) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to challenge and hung right between last two, held last, one pace and no impression when hung left run-in, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Capitaine (11-7) at Ascot 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Mr Mcgo (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 3rd, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Fly Camp (11-12) by 10l, 9 ran.
Sneaky Feeling (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd approaching the last, ridden and strong challenge run-in,soon carried badly left, stayed on gamely to lead last strides, won at Newbury 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Bags Groove (10-12) by nk, 15 ran.
William Henry (IRE) 4-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, came wide in straight and led 3 out, came clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Le Dauphin (11-0) by 7l, 7 ran.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) 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, 3rd of 10, 6 3/4l behind Coo Star Sivola (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
