held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4th, held when left poor 4th 2 out, no impression
prominent, chased leader approaching 3 out, soon weakened, left poor 3rd 2 out, no impression
towards rear, mistake 3rd, soon detached, tailed off
towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, soon detached, tailed off
led, raced keen, headed 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
held up in mid-division, weakened after 4 out
held up in touch, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, 1 length down in 3rd when fell 2 out
held up in rear, soon detached, tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, good headway approaching 3 out, led and stumbled slightly on landing 2 out, pressed last, kept on well flat, driven out
tracked leader to 2nd, lost place approaching 4th, weakened 4 out
held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out
The opener can be fought out by Gifted Leader and FLEMMINGSBOND and the latter gets the vote, while Arabian Silk is a potential improver. The last-named showed slightly better form when runner-up, albeit a long way behind the winner, at Uttoxeter last time. This better ground should also be a benefit and she should come on again. However, it is hard to envisage her being good enough to beat the leading pair, with Gifted Leader one to take seriously. Conditions clearly suit Ian Williams' five-year-old, who scored over two miles at Southwell in January and has been carrying a penalty since then. He maintains good form, as does the trainer's string, and he can be relied upon to go close. Alasi has a course and distance win to his name but he has struggled under penalties on his last two starts, while Troubletimestwo has had a stack of chances and just can't quite finish his races. The selection is Flemmingsbond. Not seen since being the easy winner of a Ludlow bumper in November 2008, he represents a top yard who have an excellent record bringing their runners back in great condition after a lay-off. There is no reason why this six-year-old should be any different and he is sure to be well schooled, so we will side with him to confirm the promise of that bumper.
Gifted Leader (USA) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 3 out, headed approaching and hit last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Najaf (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gs in Feb.
Alasi 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 12, 27l behind Zarinava (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Apache Blue (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Always behind, 8th of 10, 36l behind Bygones Of Brid (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Charlie Bucket 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 43l behind Bridlingtonbygones (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Conquisto 9-2 (9-7) In rear, headway to lead 5f out, joined 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 24l behind King's Salute (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov (flat).
Dundry 20-1 (11-1) Held up in last pair, went modest 4th after 3 out, staying on steadily when hit last, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 21l behind King's Forest (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '09.
Flemmingsbond (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway final 10f, led on bit over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Ludlow 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov '08 beating Aqualung (11-2) by 5l, 16 ran.
King Penda (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, no chance from 6th, 10th of 13, 46l behind Rackham Lerouge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Pollen Jock (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Cl 3rd when blun 11; 5th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Mr Johnson (12-0) at Cottenham 2m 4f ptp gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Troubletimestwo (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Led until 2nd, prominent, challenged after 3 out, ridden from next, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Tom O'tara (9-11) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Zelos Diktator 10-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 16, 24l behind Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Arabian Silk (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased winner until after 4th and again well before 3 out, no impression from 2 out, blundered last, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Banjaxed Girl (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
