held up rear, stayed on from 3 out
held up rear, headway 3rd, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent and keen, ridden 5th and weakened, mistake last
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 5th, soon weakened, blundered badly last
held up, weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, keen, led approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on
The three to note are Art Historian, Darusso and Stumped with the vote going to the last named. Stumped is one of the more experienced contenders here with four runs over jumps and five runs on the flat remaining a maiden under both codes. Having said that he ran with credit on the flat on a number of occasions and ran well to finish second to Silver Jaro in a big field at Warick last time out. A repeat performance will see him go very close here. Art Historian was fourth in the same Warwick race and although that was a marked improvement on his previous efforts he will have to improve somewhat if he is to reverse the form. Darusso will pose as the biggest danger having run well enough on all three starts without ever troubling the judge. His third to Pouvoir at Kempton on his latest start caught the eye and any market moves should be noted. But for the winner we return to Stumped.
Art Historian (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 17, 11l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Darusso 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, led, clear 2nd, wandered at 4th, reduced lead approaching 3 out, headed well before 2 out, weakened and hit last 2, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Gabier 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 26l behind Mountain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Golden Alchemist 14-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 12l behind Luckylover (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Gowna's Hope (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Always in rear, 7th of 10, well behind dhtrs Thunder Rock (11-5) & Santando (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Honour's Dream (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, 40l behind Mountain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Sir Rique (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and held when fell at the last in race won by Mountain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs, 12 ran.
Stumped 7-1 (11-0) Led 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
