held up in touch, effort to chase leaders 3 out, outpaced next, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 11th, soon ridden, lost touch, tailed off
held up in touch, effort to chase leading pair 3 out, driven, outpaced next, soon no impression
always behind, mistake, reminders 9th, tailed off 3 out
tracked leader, led before 12th, hard pressed 2 out, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, kept on, every chance until no extra towards finish
led to before 12th, tracked leader, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead again narrowly last, stayed on well under pressure flat
Nothing leaps off the page amongst his rivals and therefore it is THE POLOMOCHE who is selected to win on his chasing debut. Nicky Henderson's gelding was hyped up last season and rewarded those who kept the faith with a win at Ayr in April. A smooth mover on the gallops, this son of Beneficial looks an obvious contender to graduate into a decent chaser this year but wouldn't want too much rain. Teddy's Reflection is unexposed and bits of his novice hurdling form look solid; he is another son of Beneficial who cannot be underestimated on this first start for 212 days having gone well fresh in the past. The market should help point to which of John Upson's point-to-pointers rates the best, although one assumes that Harvey May's 246 day absence will be less of a concern than No More Punts 1142 days on the sidelines. Marc Of Brilliance also returns from a lengthy absence and he is hard to fancy given his uninspiring form from 2008. Art Gallery was modest over hurdles and it is unlikely that he can topple The Polomoche in what looks a two-horse race.
Art Gallery 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led to after 3rd, led 4th to 6th, weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Tarvini (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Harvey May (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Alw pr, cl 3rd 4out, eff in 2nd from 4out, but not get to wnr, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Whitty's Choice (12-0) at Athenry 3m ire ptp in Mar.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway from 11th, ridden after 3 out, left 3rd next, one pace after, 4th of 13, 12l behind Insignia (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Jul '08.
No More Punts (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Mid div, 3rd 5out, lost tch next, mod 4th from 2out, no dngr, 4th of 9, well behind Pleasereleaseme (12-0) at Loughrea 3m ire ptp in Oct '06.
Teddy's Reflection (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along 8th, soon reminders, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, 7th of 10, 19l behind How's Business (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
The Polomoche (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Led, hit 8th, ridden and hard pressed flat, headed briefly flat, stayed on gamely towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Apr beating Halla San (10-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
