held up mid-division, pushed along and headway before 3 out, went 2nd before last, kept on to lead flat, driven out
tracke d leader, led before 3 out, soon headed, one pace
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, one pace and went 3rd before last
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened after last
held up towards rear and keen, chased leaders before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake 2nd, lost place 5 out
in rear, headway on outer before 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 7th, led before 3 out, edged right before last, soon ridden, headed run-in, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
This looks wide open and MIDNIGHT OSCAR gets no more than a tentative vote. Kim Bailey's gelding still has plenty of scope, however, and beat a good yardstick in Kayserberg over track and trip in December having finished a close-up third behind the useful Hold Court on his jumping debut. Alberobello came good at Chepstow after a couple of near-misses but the runner-up let the form down next time. Who Owns Me ran well off a higher mark here in December while Greenlaw isn't out of this and makes more appeal than Bucking The Trend, who may be high enough in the weights now. Hada Men also needs further help from the handicapper but hinted at a revival last time. Powerful Ambition may be the pick of the remainder.
Hada Men (USA) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Ely Brown (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Who Owns Me (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, soon edged left, hit 2 out, no extra final 200 yards, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Storm Survivor (9-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
What An Oscar (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 2nd, lost place after 5th, well behind before 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ely Brown (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Midnight Oscar (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged before 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Kaysersberg (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Bucking The Trend Evensfav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 5th, went 3rd 4 out, led before next, narrowly headed 2 out, soon ridden, still upsides when hit last, driven to lead again flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Seedsman (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Alberobello (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well from last, led near finish, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan beating Nutin Fancy (11-0) by hd, 7 ran.
Greenlaw 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind City Press (11-0) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) In touch, under pressure after 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 15l behind Alpha Victor (11-8) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, no extra after 2 out, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Pas Trop Tard (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Powerful Ambition (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair before next, soon ridden and one pace, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Monetary Fund (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Pension Plan 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Dream Again Boys (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
