held up, outpaced approaching 3 out
led, soon clear, blundered and unseated rider 4th
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, no impression
tracked leader, left in lead 4th, blundered 3 out, headed approaching next, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in mid-division, weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching next, driven out
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, weakened quickly after 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, headway after 4 out, no impression
Nonrunner
PRAXITELES and El Distintivo appeal as the likeliest winners of this contest with token preference for the former. Dream Esteem may be most interesting of the remainder. El Distintivo had struggled to see his races out on his first two starts over obstacles but posted a vastly improved performance at Taunton behind the Cheltenham-bound Bothy. The ex-South American gelding may have enjoyed the run of the race from the front on that sharp track just seven days ago but it would be harsh to knock the form. He could be a short price on the back of the run though and it did come just a week ago so it looks worth opposing him with Praxiteles. Rebecca Curtis' gelding showed ability in a brief career on the level for Sir Michael Stoute before changing hands cheaply last year having missed 2008. He was entitled to need his first run over hurdles but he shaped well for a long way before tiring and the form looks solid enough in the context of this race. As a brother to the likes of Islington and Greek Dance, he could be one to keep on side if his new connections can keep him sound. Comehomequietly looks vulnerable to that pair and of more interest may be Dream Esteem although the market should guide to expectations ahead of her hurdling bow. Flexi Time, Munlochy Bay and Cresswell Pride are others to have shown ability but this race doesn't appear to have a great deal of strength in depth to it and Praxiteles may not have to improve a great deal in order to score.
Beat The Rap (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Behind, headway approaching 3 out, mistake and hung left from 2 out and soon beaten, 9th of 16, 19l behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Have You Seen Me (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Cresswell Pride 14-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 6f out, chased leaders into straight, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 30l behind Adams Island (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Dont Tell Baby (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led well over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Arturo Uno (11-2) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr '08.
El Distintivo (ARG) 50-1 (11-4) Led to before 5th, chased leader, hit 3 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, slightly outpaced soon after, kept on again flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Bothy (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Praxiteles (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Close up, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, held when mistake last and lost 3rd soon after, 4th of 16, 7l behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sherminator (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leader to before 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, 43l behind Bothy (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Sion Cwilt (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Mid-division, behind from 5th, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind King Keano (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Tar (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, well behind Kaprun (10-12) at Cork 2m hdl sft in Apr.
Dream Esteem 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 10, 38l behind Slick Mover (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol (flat).
Munlochy Bay 11-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, jumped slow 2nd, went 2nd approaching 2 out until after last, no impression, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Nobel Play 66-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 11, 28l behind Great Mates (10-13) at Stratford 2m NH flat (3) gd in May.
Tresilian (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Towards rear, effort on wide outside early straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 9th of 14, 7l behind Vivacious Vivienne (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-80 pol in Nov (flat).
Flexi Time (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 16, 37l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
