held up, ridden and headway 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, outpaced next, stayed on from last
always towards rear, weakened and pulled up before 5th
mid-division, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden and headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out and held on well
led until after 1st, led again 5th, headed 4 out, led again 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway and mistake 4 out, in 3rd and weakening when not fluent last
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, chased winner last, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, weakened to 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, weakened from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
led after 1st, mistake and headed 5th, soon weakened
prominent, mistake 3rd and 4th, weakened from next, tailed off
Not a lot of form to go on so in the absence of market information, New Team is selected ahead of Mr Strachan and Super Nick. Robert Alner's horses invariably improve for the run and the selection surprised plenty by being fit enough to oblige first time out. Proven on the prevailing going, he sets a decent benchmark. Mr Strachan gave Kanpai a fright over these obstacles last month. That represented a massive step up in form so it remains to be seen as whether he is capable of further progression. Super Nick brings a flawless record to the table and has to be respected. He shapes as if needing further in time so the heavy going should play to his strengths. Witch Wind suffered with the virus last season so he could be capable of building upon his recent victory at Kelso. Neptune D'Anzy was weak in the market on British debut so the market is watched on a second effort. Captain Marlon looked as if in need of a trip at Sandown so he would be of interest if the market spoke in his favour. Plenty of future winners are likely but we will take New Team to land the spoils today.
Little Rocker (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, led last, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Here's Johnny (11-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, led briefly 3 out, ridden next, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Kanpai (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
New Team (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Always prominent, not fluent 5th, kept on well from last to lead near finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct beating Milton Star (10-12) by a hd, 16 ran.
Witch Wind 6-1 (11-0) Always prominent, challenged 4 out, led last, ridden and kept on, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Stagecoach Opal (11-5) by 5l, 16 ran.
Anglicisme (FR) (10-6) In touch to 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 12, 20l behind One More Time (10-8) at Auteuil 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Jun.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 6th, soon beaten, 5th of 16, 26l behind King Daniel (10-11) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind My Turn Now (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Glen Omen (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, behind from 6th, 9th of 12, well behind Mount Sandel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Hills Of Aran 8-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, headway 3 out, hampered and left 2nd 2 out, kept on, held by winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Supreme Huntress (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Maurice (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Kanpai (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Neptune D'anzy (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Keen, in touch, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, well behind Sharp Rigging (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Phoenix Eye 20-1 (11-3) Held up and keen, headway 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 14, 17l behind Sakenos (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Scania Classic 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division when fell 5 out in race won by Mars Rock (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr, 14 ran.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off, 14th of 17, well behind Only For Sue (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Step Perfect (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Led, headed 6th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 33l behind My Good Lord (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sept.
Super Nick (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Led, ridden and headed over 9f out, regained lead 5f out, ridden clear, won at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct beating Pencil House (11-0) by 7l, 11 ran.
