made all, came well clear after 3 out, very easily
behind, pushed after 7th, never a factor, tailed off
never reached beyond mid-division, under pressure and struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, 4th and under pressure after next, one pace
always towards rear, struggling 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, until weakened 8th, tailed off
hit 1st, chased leaders, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, lame
under pressure in mid-division approaching 3 out, stayed on well between last 2, went poor 2nd post
not always fluent, never reached beyond mid-division, struggling under pressure 8th
never better than mid-division, struggling 8th, tailed off
mid-division, ridden along after 6th, soon driven, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, under pressure 7th, soon lost place, tailed off
chased leaders, until ridden and weakened before 3 out
never travelling in rear, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
mostly chased winner, ridden and no chance after 3 out, lost poor 2nd on post
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, moderate headway from 3 out, never in race
in rear, tailed off and struggling when pulled up after 7th
Classic Quart could be vulnerable today under a penalty so we will instead nominate SO EXTREME who can get the better of Sovereign Spirit. The selection is a progressive sort who ran his best race yet over hurdles when he chased home Last Flight over this course and distance. He was suited by the step-up to this trip that day and further improvement would make him tough to beat. Classic Quart won well last time but this is more competitive and under a penalty he could be vulnerable today. Sovereign Spirit is a course and distance winner and he looks to be back on a fair mark now so it would be no surprise to see him go close. The Richard Phillips-trained Cortesia is another to consider as she showed improved form for the fitting of blinkers last time and if they work the oracle again here then she would have a solid each-way chance. Star Lady has ability but she was far from fluent over the obstacles last time and she will need to brush-up on her hurdling if she is to get competitive. There are plenty in with chances but we will give the vote to So Extreme.
Classic Quart (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 7th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Paradise Expected (11-9) by 16l, 12 ran.
Hail The King (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 13, 33l behind Take A Mile (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Irish Toast (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 16, 37l behind Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Miss Midnight 14-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, well behind Bernard (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Tinchel (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Behind, no chance when hampered 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Oscar Owen (10-6) at Newbury 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb, 16 ran.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, always front rank, ridden to challenge 3 out, led 2 out, headed and hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Job One (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Directa's Digger (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Behind, reminder after 4th, hampered 8th, never near leaders, 8th of 18, 23l behind Castlemainevillage (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May '08.
Runaround Sue (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Blundered 1st, with leader until 8th, steadily lost place, tailed off, 7th of 10, 36l behind Pseudonym (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gf in May.
Kijivu 7-1 (11-8) Chased leader to 5th, ridden and lost place after 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Osokenda (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 10 ran.
Baarrij 16-1 (10-6) In rear, reminders after 7th, close 5th, ridden when hampered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Share Option (10-7) at Uttoxeter 3m cnd sll hdl (5) gd in May, 8 ran.
So Extreme 25-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, went 2nd 2 out, took narrow lead soon after last, headed on long run, rallied gamely near finish, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Last Flight (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Arabian Sun 11-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, mistake and driven 8th, struggling 10th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Cross Kennon (12-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Cortesia (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) In touch, raced keenly, not fluent when went 2nd 7th, led next, jumped left and hit 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd when blundered 2 out, weakend last, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Island Arrow (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Code (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 7th of 11, 30l behind Newsday (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Star Lady (GER) 16-1 (10-6) Held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, blundered 9th, mistake next, headway after 3 out, 3rd briefly before 2 out, hard ridden and weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Osokenda (10-8) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Flag Flier 15-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, pushed along 9th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Airedale Lad (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd in Apr.
King Rocky 25-1 (10-5) Jumped badly left, led until after 2nd, chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 11, 40l behind Synonymy (10-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Spirit of Tenby (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Rear, ridden and struggling after 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Heir To Be (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
