tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely, driven out
mid-division until weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
keen early, held up behind, headway after 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace
led until 3rd, tracked winner until 6th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 5th, headway after 8th, soon ridden, weakened before next
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner briefly approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders until after 5th, behind from next, pulled up after 7th
held up towards rear, headway when hit 6th, went 2nd 8th, ridden and weakened before next
VAGRANT EMPEROR may be able to take advantage of the weight that he receives from Giles Cross and Our Bomber Harris. Patton would be the other runner worthy of mention but he's been rather hit and miss in his career to date and, in general, he looks worth avoiding. Giles Cross has run both of his races on heavy ground and has handled it well to show a decent level of form. He should prove capable of further improvement and should also prove effective on quicker ground and there's every reason to expect a bold show. Our Bomber Harris was well backed to make a winning debut over hurdles but was firmly put in his place behind Karabak at Ascot. This company is less exacting but he still has a good bit to find with Giles Cross and will need to improve. Vagrant Emperor will need to hurdle better than he did at Warwick if he's going to open his account. He clearly has an engine though as he displayed when chasing home Bensalem on his hurdling bow before rallying to be beaten a short-head last time. This longer trip seems certain to suit as may the better ground whilst the weight that he receives will come in handy so we'll give our vote to Vagrant Emperor.
Giles Cross (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Led until 2nd, prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on to lead flat, edged slightly left, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Gullible Gordon (11-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
John Fenton (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until 7th, soon behind, 8th of 12, well behind Alfie Sherrin (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Our Bomber Harris 17-2 (11-8) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, close up approaching 2 out, soon held, 4th of 13, 26l behind Karabak (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Classic Eclipse 100-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, led to 5th, not fluent next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Picture In The Sky (11-6) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Dont Even Ask 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Tullamore Dew (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Incentivise (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Led, headed after 1st, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Kayf Aramis (10-11) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Merriott's Oscar (IRE) 18-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 8th, headway 11th, every chance when mistake last, not recover, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Smart Savannah (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (3) gs in Mar '06.
Patton (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 35l behind Minella Theatre (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Tanner Towers 150-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along and no chance from 4th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Kilvergan Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Vagrant Emperor (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Tracked leader after 1st, jumped slowly 6th, led approaching 3 out, headed when hit 2 out, ridden and still upside when hit last, ran on towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Quiver Hill (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4).
