led until after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
always prominent, pulled hard, went 2nd and hit 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden and headed, hampered and left 2nd 2 out, no extra flat
held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden when slightly hampered 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led after 7th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
raced keenly, held up and behind, headway approaching 2 out where slightly hampered, went 2nd last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead final stride
in rear, headway after 4th, lost place approaching 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, headway approaching 3 out, disputing close 3rd and travelling well enough when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out
raced keenly mid-division, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, upsides when fell 2 out
always behind
always prominent, led 3 out, ridden between last 2, headed last stride
in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 8th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on approaching last, not trouble leaders
The unexposed Carrick Oscar is of interest given his twelve length demolition of Mark The Book at Towcester but Sharajan makes far more appeal. Alan King's gelding had been off the track for well over a year but rewarded his connections' patience when staying on strongly to land a novice hurdle at Lingfield over this trip. A 4lb rise for that looks more than fair and he has the look of a well handicapped individual. The same cannot be said of Carrick Oscar whose lack of experience is also a concern in a race of this nature and it makes sense to look elsewhere for dangers to the selection. Heathcote, Ned Ludd and Hoh Viss all have the ability to win but all have been below par so far this season and Peacock, Khasab and Shoudawoudacouda make more appeal. The last named ran the best race of his career when third to the well handicapped Ballyfitz over three miles here last time and has claims if he can build on that but he could struggle to get the better of Sharajan.
Si Grand (FR) 28-1 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 6th, reminders after 9th and 10th, soon lost touch and pulled up 5 out in race won by Trust Fund (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Carrick Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, eased close home, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Mark The Book (11-4) by 12l, 11 ran.
Heathcote 33-1 (11-5) Always in rear, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually faded, 5th of 8, 31l behind Gabier (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Hoh Viss 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, mistake 6th, struggling after 3 out, tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Sharajan (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Quarrymount (11-2) by 7l, 17 ran.
Peacock (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and found nil, weakened flat, 6th of 14, 7l behind Mon Michel (10-4) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Khasab (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 7l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Cava Bien 6-4 (11-3) In touch, headway 3rd, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Ladino (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Jul '06.
Shoudawoudacouda (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) In touch, headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Saint Godegrand (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Mujamead (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
