in touch when fell 7th
led and soon clear, ridden 4 out, headed and weakened
held up, ridden and hampered 7th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened 7th, soon tailed off, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, no extra close home
towards rear, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, dropped rear 5th, tailed off when pulledu p before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, led 4 out, soon ridden, joined 2 out, all out towards finish
The shortlist contains Blue Splash, Mister Sher and Chamacco, with the selection being the first-named horse. Much as he has taken a hike in the ratings for his Aintree win, Blue Splash looked good there and should make a bold bid to follow up. Mister Sher came good at Uttoxeter last time and, given that he stays well and is lightly raced, has to be considered too. Magnifico has become disappointing, as has The Last Cast, who was pretty decent back in 2004. Chicago Bulls needs to turn the clock back even further, but Alfasonic certainly holds claims if fully fit at the first time of asking this year. Shining Joy is managing to make the frame often enough but he looks opposable overall for win purposes, but Chamacco's Exeter win last time over today's trip reads pretty well in the context of this race and he rates as a one of the main dangers to the selection, which is Blue Splash.
Magnifico (FR) 10-3 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, mistake and unseated rider in race won by Matt The Thrasher (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
The Last Cast 25-1 (11-12) Led, reminders 3rd, lost action and pulled up 5 out in race won by Ragdale Hall (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sept, 11 ran.
Chicago Bulls (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 44l behind Desert Tommy (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Alfasonic 11-8fav (11-12) In touch, ridden approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Kildonnan (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Blue Splash (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Made all, clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gd in Oct beating Le Joyeux (10-13) by 14l, 6 ran.
Mister Sher (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Keen, tracked leaders, mistake 10th, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Forest Miller (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shining Joy (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, headway 9th, led approaching 2 out, headed last, soon beaten, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Montevideo (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Chamacco (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, mistake 2 out, led last, edged right, all out, won at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating Ar An Shron (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
