in touch, lost place after 5th, pulled up before next
behind, headway 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened
chased leaders, raced wide of pack early, not fluent 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
always behind
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 6th, soon beaten
mid-division, under pressure 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out, dismounted
tracked leader, reminders approaching 6th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out
mid-division, raced wide of pack early, weakened 4th, pulled up before 6th
held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, every chance next, stayed on same pace under pressure
mid-division, ridden and effort 2 out, never on terms
held up, mistake 7th, headway after 3 out, switched left approaching last, soon chasing leaders, staying on when switched right towards finish, never troubled leaders
Honour's Dream heads a short-list on which Quasimodo and Ballyboley are other names to feature. Tom George's gelding has shown marked improvement since being fitted with cheekpieces and teaming up with Paddy Brennan. Neither race that he has won has been competitive and this will provide a more thorough test of his ability, particularly as he's 21lbs higher than for his first success. He also has to travel further today but he's been winning in good style and is taken to complete his hat-trick. Ballyboley can be forgiven his latest start at Haydock and is better judged on his win at Towcester; he should be in the mix if proving as effective on this contrasting track. Quasimodo ran as well as could have been expected at Haydock last time; he still has time on his side, is feasibly handicapped and will handle conditions. A Toi A Moi and Dundridge Native are other names that are thrown into the hat but our pick is Honour's Dream.
Ballyboley (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Brendar (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven and held on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan '07 beating Haggle Twins (11-2) by a hd, 7 ran.
Deep Reflection 7-1 (11-3) In touch, led after 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 15, 13l behind Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Sharbasia (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Towards rear, mistake 9th, short lived effort after, 8th of 13, well behind Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec.
Honour's Dream (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, not fluent 3 out, ridden before next, soon clear, easily, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Mr Shambles (11-3) by 11l, 10 ran.
Felix Rex (GER) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, well behind Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
A Toi A Moi (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ballyfitz (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Magnifico (FR) 25-1 (11-9) In rear, behind from 7th, mistake 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Iwillrememberyou (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Ceoperk (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 3 out, ridden soon after, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Chomba Womba (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f lst hdl (1) sft.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 17, 36l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Lincoln's Inn (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Harris Bay (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Dumaran (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division until lost place 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Dicey Dancer (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Nov.
Quasimodo (GB) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner and jumped left last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Dundridge Native 8-1 (11-9) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 15, 15l behind Dan Buoy (11-10) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
