chased leaders, every chance 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, went 2nd 3 out until weakened approaching last
held up, headway 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, 5 lengths down when blundered last, no chance with winner
always prominent, led on bit 4 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
held up, chased leaders 5 out, weakened next
soon with leader, led after 4th, headed 5 out, soon weakened
behind, mistake 1st, headway 2 out, stayed on
held up mid-division, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened next
led, headed after 4th, led again 5 out, headed next, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up and keen, never dangerous, pulled up before 2 out
Edas is high on a short-list which could realistically be extended to about half of this field but ISSAQUAH is the one that we've come down on the side of. The booking of Rhys Flint for a trainer as shrewd as John Quinn really takes the eye and Edas ran a fine race for an inexperienced sort at Wetherby despite being hampered by a loose horse. He looks nailed on to run a big race but there was also plenty to like about Issaquah's wide margin win at Kelso and she may still be ahead of the game despite a 15lb rise. That was her fourth win from just six starts and she appears to have plenty more in the locker. It's no surprise to see Noticeable fitted with blinkers and the aids may help him to confirm Leicester form with Hello Nod who may need the ground to dry out a little further. Prosecco is considered, Miss Pross has place claims and there should be more to come from Bobby Donald this term but this could be a shade too competitive for them and Issaquah can lead them home.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 6th, ridden 3 out, challenged next and led last, driven out, won at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun beating Seeyaaj (11-10) by 2l, 8 ran.
Noticeable (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, left after 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Zahra's Place (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Edas 10-1 (10-11) Held up, chased leaders 4th, challenged 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 2l behind European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Rich Lord 8-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up, ridden 3 out, no impression when edge right flat, 5th of 10, 24l behind Gray Mountain (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Issaquah (IRE) 5-1fav (9-7) Held up in touch, led approaching last, readily, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Tartan Snow (11-2) by 7l, 18 ran.
Hello Nod 25-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, raced keenly, steady headway from 3 out, not fluent last, kept on towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Zahra's Place (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Ela Re 33-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 10th, 7th of 11, 41l behind Laskari (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft.
Prosecco (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led before 3 out, ridden and kept on flat, held on towards finish, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Random Native (11-9) by 1l, 13 ran.
Miss Pross 11-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Polar Gunner (9-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Made most, joined, strongly pressed 2 out, driven, stayed on, caught on line, 2nd of 8, hd behind Pacco (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
Pen Gwen (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Held up, mistake 1st, ridden 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Polar Gunner (9-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Remainder 25-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 15th of 18, well behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
