chased leaders, blundered 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led, ridden after 7th, narrowly headed approaching 2 out, rallied gamely, led last, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway after 3 out, close 4th when ridden next, kept on same pace
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, kept on but no extra final 75 yards
tracked leader, ridden into narrow advantage approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on, no extra
soon lost touch
PIERROT LUNAIRE is the pick with Afsoun and Lough Derg the others to make the short list. Two falls do not make good reading at any level but this race actually represents a drop in grade for Paul Nicholls' charge and with effectiveness on this surface assured, he receives our vote. Afsoun has always been a couple of pounds below championship class. Ultimately he has become difficult to place and it may be the percentage call to oppose again. Lough Derg ran another stormer at Ascot. He runs that track about 10lb better than anywhere else but backers are sure to get another good run for their money here. Straw Bear has sensibly reverted to hurdling after a very modest chasing career. He has the capability of winning this provided that he has not become sour. Pouvoir returns from a long absence so the market needs to be watched. Hills Of Aran put up a career best to give Kasbah Bliss backers a momentary fright at Haydock last Saturday. Geography and Just Beware are outclassed. Pierrot Lunaire gets the nod.
Afsoun (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leading pair, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped left, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Celestial Halo (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Lough Derg (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Led, ridden after 3 out, strongly pressed from next, narrowly headed flat, rallied gamely near finish, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Pouvoir (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 5th, headway 2 out, soon challenged for 2nd going well, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec '07 beating Good Bye Simon (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Straw Bear (USA) 9-1 (11-7) With leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out where slightly hampered, 4th of 7, 34l behind Harchibald (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec.
Pierrot Lunaire (USA) 5-1 (11-7) Slight lead, headed 3 out, weakened, left moderate 4th and hampered 2 out, no chance when fell at the last in race won by Harchibald (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec, 7 ran.
Hills Of Aran 25-1 (11-5) Led, clear approaching 3 out, headed after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-13) at Haydock 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Just Beware 50-1 (9-7) Behind, effort after 3 out, ridden and beaten when hit 2 out, hung left before last, 4th of 8, 28l behind Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Geography (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Well in rear, stayed on from 3 out, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 9l behind Hello Moscow (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy.
