held up, struggling 5th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, weakened next
led after 1st, headed 6th, soon struggling, weakened 7th, pulled up 3 out
held up, headway 5th, chased winner 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, behind when pulled up before 7th
held up, headway 4th, led 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
led until after 1st, remained prominent, led again 3 out, ran on well
held up in touch, ridden 8th, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, jumped right 2nd, never dangerous
Dan's Heir gets the vote here with Elezar and Magic Amour rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair second behind Ortlan Bleu last time. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with this sharper track also looking to be in his favour he will be hard to beat. Elezar rates the main danger on his latest second behind In Media Res but he gave the impression he would be suited by a longer trip on that occasion and for that reason he is opposed. Magic Amour was a fair sort on the flat and although he has not shown much over hurdles so far his yard are in much better form now and he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder, Top Of The Agenda is another that has run with promise but he may be seen to better effect in handicaps over a longer trip and in a race where few can be fancied for the winner we return to Dan's Heir.
Barbilyrifle (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) In rear and keen, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by A Double Ewe Bee (10-4) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (G) sft in Dec '04, 10 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind In Media Res (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Exclusive Air (USA) 33-1 (9-12) Rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Irish Blessing (11-6) at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft, 12 ran.
Magic Amigo 25-1 (11-5) Held up, chased leaders after 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 38l behind In Media Res (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Top of The Agenda 12-1 (11-4) Keen hold in mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Ice Tea (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Zouave (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up last, ridden, lost touch after 8th pulled up 2 out in race won by Present Glory (10-11) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (D) gf in Nov, 6 ran.
Dan's Heir 9-1 (11-5) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed next, one pace, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Ortolan Bleu (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Alexander Sapphire (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, chased leader 5th, led briefly after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Desert Secrets (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Water Pistol 3-1jt-fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, weakened and jumped right from 2 out, 4th of 10, 43l behind Snow Tempest (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
