held up, headway 4th, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, edged left towards finish, driven out
mid-division, reminder after 4th, headway 5th, hit 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 2 out, headed and hit last, rider dropped whip last, stayed on
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
always behind
held up, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, hit 3rd, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
From the shortlisted three of Cloudy Lane, Hockenheim and Master Wells, we will side with Cloudy Lane. West End Wonder has been well beaten in two starts since winning at Worcester, but Cloudy Lane's Sedgefield second to the decent Scotmail surely brings him right into things. So much, in our view, so that gets the nod. Hockenheim was disappointing at Newcastle last time, but his Wetherby run the time before gives him claims. It is hard to evaluate Keen Warrior's third to Lennon last time as it was a slowly-run affair, although the winner could be decent. The 75-rated two-miles Flat winner, Master Wells, has to be considered, and No Guarantees has shown enough not to be written off just yet. A 30,000 euros purchase, Parkinson has to be given some thought on his debut, while Carraig's Towcester third needs to be built upon if he is to feature. All in all, then, the vote goes to Cloudy Lane.
West End Wonder (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 6th, weakened after next, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Saltango (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Cloudy Lane 3-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Scotmail (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Hockenheim (FR) 9-4 (10-11) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 17, 30l behind Ballyfitz (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Keen Warrior 80-1 (10-9) With leader, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Lennon (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Master Wells (IRE) 150-1 (7-7) Always behind, 23rd of 34, 30l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
No Guarantees 25-1 (11-0) Led until hit 3rd, chased winner to next, blundered and weakened 5th, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Neptune Collonges (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Dec.
Parkinson (IRE) Pulled up in race won by Captain Windsor at Ballysteen 3m ptp gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Scaramouche 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakening when jumped badly left 2 out, 7th of 15, 10l behind Shaka's Pearl (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Ghabesh (USA) 300-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 9, well behind Afsoun (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Carraig (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Purple Patch (11-5) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
