mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra flat
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and hung left 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd from last
led until ridden and headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, on pace
always towards rear, weakened 6th
chased leader, hit 6th, soon ridden, one pace
always towards rear, never on terms
in touch, not fluent 4th, reminder 5th, weakened 3 out, eased when beaten 2 out
prominent, headway 6th, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened 6th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, mistake last
always behind, weakened 6th
Sovereign King is the selection in this affair with Supreme Ruler and Pride of Dulcote ones to note in the market. Sovereign King ran a solid race in a fair event at Huntingdon and if he has shown no ill effects for his exertions, he has an obvious chance of compensation in this contest. Supreme Ruler looks something of a stayer in the making. He won over 2m2f at Punchestown but will need to be decent in order to give weight away all around. Pride Of Dulcote unseated Ruby Walsh on a recent outing at Newbury. Backed on his two racecourse starts, he clearly is better than his form figures suggest. Ex-pointer, Fix The Rib, is another to watch if the market speaks in his favour. Tullamore Dew can be expected to build upon a pleasing introduction. Theatre Dance flew high in bumpers and is one to note for the future. Sovereign King is certainly no gimme against progressive novices but as a 120-rated performer, it would be disappointing were he not good enough to get his head infront.
Supreme Ruler (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, progress into 5th 4 out, 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 20, 3 1/2l behind Narquois (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl gs in Dec.
Shining Gale (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) In touch, chased leader 6th, led on bit and hit 2 out, not fluent last, pushed out flat, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Master Darcy (11-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
Sovereign King 14-1 (11-11) Always prominent, ridden after 3 out, edged left flat, stayed on same pace, 4th of 17, 3l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Fix The Rib (IRE) (11-7) 3rd of 14, 10l behind Hollow Star (11-7) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, 39l behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Master Darcy 16-1 (11-3) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on flat but no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Shining Gale (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Napolito (FR) 125-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 43l behind Abstract Art (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Tracking leaders when not fluent and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Or Bleu (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Theatre Dance (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 2l behind Uffa Fox (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gf in Dec.
Theseainttoys (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and weakened 5f out, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Midnight Sail (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Tullamore Dew (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden and effort 3 out, no impression on leaders after, 5th of 14, 19l behind Shining Gale (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Ryland Hall (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Never a factor, 9th of 14, well behind Marseillais (11-9) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gd in Nov.
