tracked leaders, hit 3 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden, asserting near finish
close up, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and held when not fluent last
led, ridden after 3 out, narrowly headed last, rallied under pressure, held near finish
held up, hit 5th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
veered badly right and unseated rider 1st
held up, some headway and ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
held up, ridden from 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
The three penalised runners and hurdling debutante Missoula make up the short-list with Honour High taking top spot. Soft ground is an issue for both Missoula and Swordsman. Suzy Smith's mare readily accounted for Kayf Aramis on good to soft over 2 miles 2 on her final start for Mark Tompkins and is an interesting recruit to hurdling. She lacks experience though and has to prove herself on the ground so is hard to recommend despite receiving plenty of weight. Swordsman failed to land a blow in a Grade 1 at Newbury but the fact that he was thought good enough to contest the race means that he must be feared. That run was on soft and he also disappointed on the level on soft and that has to be a huge concern but he did look good when winning at Huntingdon. Runthatpastmeagain may be able to continue his progression but he didn't entirely convince at Wetherby so we'll side with Lady Herries's grey who ticks all the right boxes. Track, trip, ground all suit, he looks progressive and his form stands up to scrutiny so Highest Honour it is.
Honour High 17-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 8th, chased leaders after 9th, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Quarrymount (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Runthatpastmeagain (IRE) 85-40fav (11-4) Held up in touch, led after 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Crop Walker (11-4) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Swordsman (GER) 7-1 (11-7) With leader until 7th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Souffleur (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Foxy Bob (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, last of 16, well behind Fassaroe (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Park Lodge 66-1 (11-4) Always behind, 8th of 9, 37l behind Gold Award (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Feb.
Plum Pudding (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 8th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 42l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Missoula (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, quickened clear 2f out, won at York 2m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct beating Kayf Aramis (8-10) by 13l, 7 ran (Flat).
Damascus Gold 100-1 (10-12) Held up, reminder after 3rd, lost touch after 5th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Sonning Star (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
