held up mid-division, hit 2nd, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 3 out, kept on, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
behind, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms
behind when brought down 3 out
held up, smooth headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place after 5th
always behind, weakened after 4 out
in touch, headway 4 out, joined winner before next, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, soon no impression
in touch, led after 5th, stayed on well under pressure
held up when fell 2nd
jumped left and soon led, headed after 5th, soon ridden and weakened
held up, never dangerous
held up mid-division, hampered 3 out, never dangerous
held up, keen hold, hit 3rd, mid-division when fell 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner next, stayed on same pace
behind, hampered 3 out, never dangerous
pulled hard in touch, lost place after 5th
held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on
A market move for the lightly raced Zabeel Palace would have to be of interest but, even in this grade, he looks to have plenty to find on all known form and a better bet looks to be Final Bid, who gets the vote ahead of Rapscallion. The selection is the least exposed of these over hurdles and looks well worth another chance following a creditable effort at Musselburgh last time of making a second success in just three starts over timber. Saunders Road may be better than he has shown so far but has been well held in all four starts so far and is hard to back with confidence. Clueless may do better now that he encounters a better surface, while The Castilian is a consistent performer and can be expected to be thereabouts again. Rapscallion would have solid claims on the pick of his form but that is shown under more testing conditions and a better bet looks to be Final Bid, who gets the vote.
I'm Lovin It (IRE) 3-10fav (11-3) Held up, headway 4th, led approaching 6th, clear 2 out, readily, won at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs beating Papillon de Iena (11-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Patrixtoo (FR) 80-1 (10-13) Behind, ridden 5th, lost touch from next, last of 11, 37l behind Pilca (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Rapscallion (GER) 7-2 (11-12) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Thenameescapesme (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Wenlocks Wonder 14-1 (11-9) Held up, headway after 4th, weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Dumaran (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, last of 10, 49l behind Gustavo (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
The Castilian (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 14l behind Avesomeofthat (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun.
Emperors Guest 50-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, hampered 1st, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 14, 28l behind Helen Wood (10-5) at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Clueless 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, well behind The Ring (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Zando 33-1 (10-3) Held up, headway to join leaders 3rd, ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Moon Catcher (11-2) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May.
Sundarbob (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Final Bid (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bright Sparky (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Ember Dancer 25-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 4th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 18, 11l behind Rebel Raider (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Safin (GER) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 4th, weakening when bumped 2 out, 6th of 18, 27l behind Rebel Raider (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Zabeel Palace 50-1 (11-5) Raced wide, in touch until weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Santando (11-11) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ban Dubh 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 37l behind Theatre Diva (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Saunders Road (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in mid-division, some headway from 2 out, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 20l behind French Saulaie (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Moon Star (GER) 8-1 (9-12) Led 2nd, jumped left 2 out, joined between last 2, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Gustavo (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Decree Nisi 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, short lived effort approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, 33l behind Prime Bere (9-11) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Bill Brown 50-1 (10-3) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden, weakened after 4th, 8th of 10, well behind Paddy's Tern (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Diarius (GER) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, no impression, 6th of 18, 26l behind Buster Hyvonen (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
