gave trouble in preliminaries, held up in touch, lost place over 5f out, well held final 3f
made all, ridden over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, pulled out extra and going away towards finish
in rear, pushed along 7f out, struggling final 5f
held up, took keen hold, headway 8f out, ridden and lost place over 3f out
chased winner until ridden over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in touch in mid-division, ridden and outpaced final 3f
held up in rear, headway on outside 8f out, edged left on home bend, ridden 3f out, one pace over 1f out
always handy, ridden and edged left over 1f out, pressing winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
Bill Knight has few runners under NH Rules so the booking of Richard Johnson looks significant for Russian Approval. She's related to a winning jumper and a Listed winner on the Flat so has to go on the short-list. Water Willow, like last year's winner, is by Tobougg and a half-sister to a winning jumper but Bob Stephens sent out the useful Modem to land this in 2013 and can strike again with INNER LOOP. The Rail Link filly has both speed and stamina in her pedigree and will, like Modem, be ridden by Tom O'Brien so is preferred to stablemate Castle Cavalier and Golden Gate Bridge, the only one of these with previous experience.
Castle Cavalier Nayef gelding out of Jardin.
Golden Gate Bridge (GER) 9-2 (10-12) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Walpole (10-12) at Huntingdon 1m 6f (6) gd in Oct.
Janesmerlin Jelani gelding out of Janes Allweather.
Turbo Charged (IRE) Jeremy gelding out of House Rebel.
Inner Loop Rail Link filly out of Sailing Days.
Purple Genie (GR) Tiantai filly out of Purple Way.
Russian Approval Authorized filly out of Russian Rhapsody.
Water Willow Tobougg filly out of Water Flower.
