pulled hard out wide, headway chasing leaders 2nd, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly
off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off
raced keenly, closer in 5th at 2nd, weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, pushed along before hit 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened 2 out
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 3 out, went 3rd and one pace before next
chased leaders, weakened home turn
always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
waited with towards rear, good headway chasing leaders out wide after 3 out, went 2nd after next, led approaching last, stayed on well
led until 4 out, weakened rapidly and pulled up before next
chased leader until after 3rd, chased leaders, led after 3 out, pushed along turning in, headed approaching last, plugged on run-in
Experience could be key in this. Just Another One was second at Market Rasen before finding Grade 2 company too hot at Cheltenham. He is one of the more likely winners but TYING THE KNOT showed a bit more on soft going at Sandown last month so gets another chance. Tessy Lad wasn’t beaten far at Newcastle and also goes on the shortlist but Apologise was beaten a long way when favourite on hurdling debut and Jikala is best watched on her UK debut.
Apologise (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Towards rear, in touch, not fluent 3rd or 4th, behind leaders when pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden and well held, bad mistake 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, dist behind Casi Crudo (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Archer (GER) (8-7) last of 7, dist behind Furioso (8-9) at Saarbrucken 1m 7f gd in Aug.
Elmaftun (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon well behind, fell 2 out, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Just Another One (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling after 3 out, tailed off when went badly left next, 7th of 8, dist behind Scriptwriter (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Tessy Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leader, ridden before 2 out where mistake, kept on run-in but lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Cabrakan (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Tropical Talent 33-1 (9-8) Broke well, soon lost place, headway on outside 8f out, not much room and weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 28 3/4l behind Solanna (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Twm Sion 300-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 19 1/4l behind Nader (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f stks (5) gf in Oct.
Tying The Knot (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, never involved, moderate before the last, 5th of 10, 16l behind Penna Rossa (11-2) at Sandown 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Highland Lass (FR) 250-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in rear, nudged along and lost ground before 4th, tailed off and pulled-up after 4th, at Hereford 2m mdn fll (4) gs in Nov.
Jikala (FR) (10-4) 4th of 6, shd behind at Dax 2m 1f fll in May.
