in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approcahing last
in touch, close 4th, when fell 7th
tracked leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
held up, ridden after 3 out, no impression, pulled up before next
tracked leader, ridden affter 3 out, kept on same pace
led until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well
held up, blundered and unseated 7th
Border Castle is selected ahead of Big Moment and Nobody Tells Me. The selection won well at Cheltenham and connections are keen to strike while the iron is hot. The form was given a significant boost when second placed Pilca, finished fourth in a valuable race at Ascot last week. Big Moment has never quite achieved the promise that he has shown in glimpses. He ran a fair race at Windsor on the flat in November and can be expected to run his race. Nobody Tells Me is often punted but punters have often been on the wrong end of the result. If David Pipe has unlocked the key to this enigmatic performer, he cannot be discounted. Fenix hails from an unfashionable yard and is sure to be a few points bigger than his form entitles. He won well in a Grade 2 event at the track in November and should be capable of going close despite a revised handicap mark. Nathos takes a welcome drop in grade having ran down the field in the top handicaps. Hold up perfomer, Takes A Mile has shaped as if a step up in trip may suit and will be in receipt of plenty of weight from the likely market principals. Border Castle looks a horse on the upgrade and we seek no reason to oppose on this occasion.
Big Moment 66-1 (11-2) Settled in mid-division, ridden and behind from 9th, 8th of 12, 48l behind Mighty Man (11-6) at Aintree 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Nathos (GER) 100-1 (11-0) Led and keen 1st, headed next, weakened after 6th, 15th of 20, 29l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Fenix (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next, eased when no chance flat, 9th of 17, 22l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Border Castle 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, led last, driven clear, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft beating Pilca (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Nobody Tells Me (FR) 7-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, hit 7th, headway 8th, ridden and close up when weakened 10th and soon beaten, 6th of 17, 49l behind Star De Mohaison (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Mr Dinglawi (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Siberion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Take A Mile (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and effort next, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 18l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Nation State 7-1 (10-3) Behind, driven and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Overstrand (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
