held up last, headway 3rd, challenged on bit 3 out, shaken up to lead 2 out, pushed clear flat, easily
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on one pace after
prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
tailed off in mid-division, headway after 4th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and soon headed, weakened last
prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when mistake 2 out
led, ridden after 4th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Working Title can lower Group Captain's colours in a race where only the bottom two make no appeal. The selection was backed as though defeat was out of the question prior to his hurdling bow at Fakenham and duly sauntered to success. His only serious rival probably failed to run her race but he's very well regarded in a yard that's spoilt for choice in this division and should prove up to this class. As well as Overclear has run, he's probably not quite good enough whilst Laredo Sound has had a slightly puzzling campaign. He was stepped up to 2 miles 6 following a fair debut over two and a half before reverting to the minimum last time. A Listed class middle distance performer on the Flat, he's clearly useful but the jury's still out. Luxurix was under 3 lengths behind Group Captain at Newbury but was below par at Cheltenham last time so is passed over here. Alan King's classy recruit from the Flat is unbeaten over hurdles so far but has a fair bit to prove on the bare form. He had to battle hard to score at Newbury before converting a penalty kick at Taunton. His yard won this with My Way De Solzen in 2005 and he's a major player but we prefer Working Title.
Group Captain 2-7fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ran on well from last, pushed out, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating I Predict A Riot (10-5) by 7l, 10 ran.
Overclear 15-2 (11-13) Help up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no extra close home, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Luxurix (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 8th of 14, 18l behind Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Working Title (IRE) 11-8 (11-5) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon clear, not fluent last, easily, won at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Sainte Kadette (11-0) by 25l, 7 ran.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Made all, clear from 3 out, easily, won at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan beating Aimigayle (10-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Archie Gunn 18-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped right 1st, headway after 4 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Cottingham (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Stagehand (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) In touch, mistake 6th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 6l behind Serhaaphim (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
