chased leaders, weakened well over 3f out
prominent, led 8f out, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace
held up in touch, weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off
tracked leader and keen, led well over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
led, headed 8f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 5f out
held up in mid-division, weakened 2f out
behind, headway on outer over 6f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, mid-division halfway, one pace final 2f
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor
A race where the market will be the best guide and in the absence of it, STATUS SYMBOL is the pick with Kahlua Cove and The Laodicean as the alternatives. Giles Bravery's inmate is actually owned by t he former champion flat jockey Willie Carson and the Scot would have been delighted by the first appearance having finished a country mile clear of all bar the winner. Kempton bumper form would presumably be much better than that of many other tracks so expect to see the bookmakers with similar thought processes. Kahlua Cove was sent off as favourite for a similar event at the course. The ground was very different on that occasion but Nicky Henderson's mare was beaten by quite some way. Alan King's bumper runners have been very disappointing this season with a percentage some way below that of previous years. The Laodicean struggled to give away a winner's penalty at Cheltenham though is returned to a much lesser grade of competition this afternoon. Furtive Flo has an inexperienced pilot on board though her mother was a very smart 1m4f performer on the flat during her racing days. Stetson burnt the fingers of his followers at Musselburgh, especially those who endeavoured to back him into odds-on favouritism. In fairness to Alan Swinbank's charge, he did show plenty of signs of inexperience and it will be no surprise to see him demonstrate improvement for that experience. Kaituna carries the colours made famous by Make A Stand. The dam is a half-sister to Paul Nicholls' stellar chaser, Strong Flow. A race of plenty of imponderables though also of likely future winners. Status Symbol has done enough to suggest that his turn is just around the corner and is therefore nominated accordingly.
King Kieren (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway from 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Yemeni Princess (10-1) at Lingfield 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (6) std in Feb.
Meridiem 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden and lost place over 6f out, 11th of 12, well behind Paint The Clouds (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Out To Impress (IRE) Alzao gelding out of Dance Fontaine.
Status Symbol (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 7f out, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) gd.
The Laodicean 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5f out, chasing leaders over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 15, 11l behind Tetlami (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) sft in Jan.
The Magic Bishop 16-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 43l behind Eagle Owl (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Wyck Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, left in lead briefly when jinked right over 13f out, soon in rear, well behind over 5f out, passed tired rivals latter stages, tailed off, 6th of 14, 42l behind Cresswell Crusader (10-12) at Chepstow 2m cond & am NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Furtive Flo Alflora mare out of Clandestine.
Jack Fawaz (IRE) Choisir gelding out of Pretty Procida.
Kahlua Cove 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 11f out, no impression over 2f out, 6th of 18, 17l behind Hurricane Milly (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mrs N H flat (5) sft in Feb.
Mawsem (IRE) Monsun gelding out of Irtifa.
Stetson 5-6fav (10-9) Held up in mid-division, headway over 3 out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, soon hung right, kept on and not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Amuse Me (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb.
Theredballoon Sulamani gelding out of Sovana.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Wordy's Boy (10-13) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Kaituna (IRE) Flemensfirth filly out of Southern Skies.
Sunnyhill Gal Beat All filly out of Among Women.
Lombardy Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 11, 6l behind Safran De Cotte (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Windy Arbour Helissio colt out of Mistress Return.
