mid-division, headway to lead after 5th, ridden and headed after 6th, weakened next
chased leader, ridden and lost place after 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 6th, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 6th, chased leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway after 6th, no impression from 2 out
in touch, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
prominent, led after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
always behind, no impression
led to 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, lost place 3rd, reminders 5th, ridden after 6th, weakened next
Bay Hawk can score in this event with Ouragran Lagrange and Arisea selected as the obvious alternatives. Brendan Powell has two entered for this contest and with Bay Hawk appearing the better on jockey bookings, our mind is made up. The six-year-old won unchallenged at Folkestone and if in the same mood today, the penalty shouldn't stop him. Ouragran Lagrange looks pick of the Gary Moore pair. He was far from disgraced in a better race at Cheltenham and has no fears on the going. Arisea is a likeable enough type who acts on soft ground and appears perfectly willing. Royal Wedding is very much one to note in the market for any signs of confidence. Boss Imperial hasn't shown too much since leaving France. A competitive enough entry but Bay Hawk holds solid claims of following up his recent victory.
Royal Wedding 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 14, 36l behind I Have Dreamed (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Boss Imperial (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 43l behind Stumped (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Tavalu (USA) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminders 8th, hit 10th, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Beat The Boys (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Oh Crick (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Arisea (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) In touch, headway 3 out, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Stradbrook (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Bay Hawk 10-3 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Khazar (11-1) by 6l, 9 ran.
Carly Bay 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders under pressure approaching last, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 10l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Ghaill Force 10-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 23l behind Ouragan Lagrange (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Behind, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never in contention, 5th of 11, well behind Roman Rampage (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan '07.
Lord Lieutenant (FR) 300-1 (11-4) Prominent, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, tailed off when fell at the last in race won by Group Captain (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
