chased leader, outpaced and lost place after 4th, soon ridden, ran on well from 2 out to go 3rd after last
in touch, shaken up and chased leader after 4th, ridden 3 out, led soon after 2 out, driven out
prominent, led on bit approaching 4th, ridden 3 out, headed soon after 2 out, no extra
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 2 out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
led, headed and weakened quickly approaching 4th, tailed off from 3 out
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, mistake last
held up last, lost touch after 4th, no impression
held up towards rear, some headway after 4th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
jumped badly left and unseated rider 1st
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
If Denman turns up then he wins, with stablemate Noland, Boychuk and Siberian Highness seen as major players. No less than seven of the 14 declared runners have alternative engagements over the weekend, which makes pinpointing the winner a bit difficult, unless of course Paul Nicholls gives Denman a quick run after his Bangor romp on Friday. With Black Jack Ketchum not risked at the Welsh track, that win told us little that we did not already know about Denman, but the trainer has stated that he would like to get more work into his star before Cheltenham. So, assuming that he turns up, it could well be stablemate Noland that chases him him home. He won well enough at Sandown last time, beating Whispered Promises by five lengths, and continues on the upgrade. Boychuk's winning run came to an end behind Denman at Cheltenham, but that was over two-and-a-half miles and the drop back to today's trip will suit him better, so he merits consideration along with Siberian Highness who faces her stiffest test yet but is highly rated by connections. If Denman runs he looks nailed on, but in his absence we would prefer Noland over Boychuk
Boychuk (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) In touch, closer order 5th, ridden to chase clear front pair 3 out, always held, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Denman (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Noland 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, in command when not fluent last, stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan beating Whispered Promises (11-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 6-1 (11-5) In touch, went 2nd at 6th, led on bit 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating The Luder (10-12) by 2l, 15 ran.
Classic Role 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 2 out, led briefly flat, headed and outpaced close home, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Straw Bear (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Manners (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, close up when bad mistake 3 out, not recover, 5th of 8, 21l behind Only Vintage (10-13) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov '04.
Mr Tambourine Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Led until 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 42l behind Princelet (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Siberian Highness (FR) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, led on bit 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Dark Parade (11-4) by 11l, 14 ran.
Charmatic (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Pulled early and held up in mid-division, hit 3rd, weakened 5th, 8th of 11, well behind Desert Secrets (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Miss Grace 20-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Unsuited (8-9) at Kempton 1m 1f app hcp 0-70 (E) gd in Jun '04 (Flat).
Illuminati 100-1 (10-7) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway after 3 out, one pace next, 5th of 15, 7l behind Quasimodo (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Story Arms Kayf Tara gelding out of winning sprinter Young India.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) In touch, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by dhtrs Buck Whaley (10-6) & Rayshan (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Denman (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) With leader throughout, led 3 out, pushed clear approaching last, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan beating The Cool Guy (11-7) by 21l, 8 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) (8-11) 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Freedom (8-7) at Baden-Baden 1m stk gd in Sept (Flat).
