mid-division, ridden after 6th, stayed on
prominent, led 6th, ridden 7th, hard ridden from last, just held on
mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, pulled up quickly before 6th, dismounted
chased leader, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 6th, ridden and weakened after, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until mistake and unseated rider 1st
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 7th, headway 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden and effort after 7th, weakened 2 out
held up, headway after 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd from last
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden behind winner 3 out, kept on well from last
Equilibria is consistent but may now be high enough in the weights and so preference is for Lupita who could prove to be on a good mark; Cave Of The Giant and Fantasy Legend make up the shortlist. The selection could prove to be on a lenient mark here as he makes his British handicap debut and this ex-Irish gelding should run well, especially receiving an allowance as the only four-year-old in the race. The stable are still in fair form and the handicapper may just have underestimated him today. At the other end of the weights Equilbria should go well at a track he likes; his stable are adept at finding races but this looks tough enough with softer ground possibly ideal. Kick And Prance is better than he showed last time out and should have improved for the run, whilst Fantasy Legend caused a shock when winning last time and whilst this race is tougher, with confidence high he should not be readily overlooked. Cave Of The Giant has claims if his jumping holds up, whilst the drop in trip will suit Flower Haven. However it is Lupita that we return to for the selection.
Equilibria (USA) 9-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, stayed on from 3 out, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracking leader when fell 5 out in race won by Gone To Lunch (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Kick And Prance 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, hampered on bend after 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened next, 14th of 16, well behind Panjo Bere (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up and behind, steady headway on inside after 8th, no impression well before 3 out, 5th of 18, 24l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Always behind, 13th of 17, 37l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Mocho (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 8th, 10th of 15, well behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
The Venetian (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Behind, reminder 5th, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Beat The Boys (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Majy D'auteuil (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 8th of 12, 15l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Golden Crew 25-1 (10-3) In touch, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Lady Bling Bling 33-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 3 out, joined 2 out, soon headed, weakened between last 2, 5th of 12, 19l behind One Gulp (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Wazalino 50-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 18l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Sonoma (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Prominent, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 4th from last, 4th of 11, 16l behind Compton Star (9-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Imperial Harry 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, stayed on from next, no danger, 3rd of 18, 20l behind Rapscallion (11-5) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Fantasy Legend (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden 3 out, hard ridden from 2 out, led close home, won at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Perfect Storm (10-9) by 2l, 14 ran.
Lupita (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4 out, weakened from next, 12th of 15, 48l behind Prospectorous (10-12) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Flower Haven 12-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, chased winner 8th, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 27l behind Dundridge Native (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
