held up, reminders approaching 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
close up, weakened from 3 out
always towards rear, weakened 3 out
soon behind, struggling from 4th
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace when hit last
always towards rear, blundered when weakening 3 out, soon pulled up
always towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
made all, driven out from last
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden 6th, weakening when mistake next
tracked leaders and keen, challenged when not fluent last, soon hard ridden, not run on
Gustavo, The Castillian, and Kristinor are the three for the shortlist and The Castilian is taken to get some reward for some near misses. After wins at Bangor and Ludlow Gustavo will be fancied to complete the hat trick here. Venetia Williams has her string in fine form and a three pound rise may not stop him playing a leading role here. Kristinor is entitled to respect, having won first time out he has been upped in grade since but has been outclassed. Back in his proper class he can run well. The Castillian looked the winner of a seller last time before being collared close home. Martin Pipe's representative had caught the eye with the way he travelled during the race and he may be the best handicapped horse in the race. The Castillian can reign supreme.
Captain Smoothy 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, challenged 4th, weakened after 7th, 7th of 12, well behind Oscatello (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
All Bleevable 33-1 (10-2) Led until 3 out, weakened, 7th of 15, 31l behind Star Member (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Apadi (USA) 7-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway when mistake 5th, led 2 out to last, weakened flat, 6th of 8, 21l behind Moor Spirit (11-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Tignasse (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Sunley Future (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Led and soon clear, mistake 4th, headed soon after 2 out, weakened rapidly, last of 6, well behind Isam Top (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Gustavo 11-4 (9-13) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec beating Capitana (11-9) by 4l, 18 ran.
Bayadere (GER) 20-1 (11-9) In rear, under pressure and mistake 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Paddy Boy (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Beau Torero (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Pulled hard, tracked leader, led and hit 2nd, mistake next, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 9, 17l behind Runner Bean (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Aug '04.
Ethan Snowflake 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 36l behind Jockser (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Feb.
Kristinor (FR) 22-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Green Iceni (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Interstice 66-1 (9-11) Always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Glengarra (11-9) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
The Castilian (FR) 6-1jt-fav (10-8) In touch, led approaching 3 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Barella (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Polish Pilot (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, last of 8, 40l behind Just A Touch (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
