held up, headway 4 out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, when bumped and lost action, kept on one pace
always in rear, behind final 6f
close up, improved 6f out, led and soon clear over 2f out, heavily eased final furlong, comfortably
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 5f out
always in rear, 2f and more behind final circuit
close up, chased leader 8f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leader until 8f, ridden to lead 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
CUNNING CLARETS ran well in what was a decent bumper at Newcastle and on what could be a good day for Tony McCoy the champ can steer him home in front, with Good Faloue and Gospel Spirit among others considered. The selection finished runner-up to Bishops Heir at Gosforth Park, with the ground bottomless on that occasion, where he was unlucky to come up against a winner from a stable enjoying a purple patch. The experience will not be lost on him, improvement seems assured, and his pilot can score on a rare ride for Richard Fahey. Good Faloue will relish this ground and has performed with credit in a couple of bumpers thus far. The step up to two miles looks a definite plus and he is respected. Gospel Spirit did not improve as perhaps had been hoped from first run to second, pulling away his chance at Southwell. If he can settle better then he might show us that he has ability. Stablemate Ferula is not an obvious debut winner but Conington has not shown bad form to date and with conditions to suit and first-time cheek pieces he could get heavily involved. However, Cunning Clarets looks the one to beat and he is afforded the nomination.
Decent Lord (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on, 4th of 12, 11l behind Alexander Beetle (10-7) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Ferula Beat All gelding out of Dont Tell Ellen.
Conington 16-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 9l behind Tara Taylor (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Late For Class (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 5f, headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, 17th of 20, 35l behind Madame Mado (10-12) at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Cunning Clarets (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) In touch, led 3f out to over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Bishops Heir (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Gospel Spirit 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, chased leaders over 6f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind Switched Off (10-0) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gs.
Whyte Avenue (IRE) 150-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Switched Off (10-0) at Southwell 2m nhf (5) gs.
Action Girl 8-1 (10-5) In touch on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 13l behind Scandal (10-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Good Faloue (FR) 6-1 (9-13) Led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 20, 15l behind Par Avion (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Jan.