mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair next, soon driven, left clear 3rd when hampered 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair approaching last
led to 5th, strong reminders to lead again after next, headed before 3 out, soon lost place and weakened
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, 1 length down and every chance when left 4 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on well, readily
tracked leader, led 5th to after next, led again before 3 out, 1 length clear and driven when fell heavily next
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division in touch, reminder 6th, driven and outpaced 4 out, no impression from next, left moderate 4th last
mistakes, held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, soon outpaced, left well beaten 4th 2 out until fell last
soon pushed along and behind, never travelled well, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders when left 4 lengths 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, behind from next
Nicky Henderson has won two of the last four runnings of this qualifier for the Cheltenham Festival and has a strong hand with Tasheba and WORKING TITLE. The latter has to cope with a significantly higher mark in a potentially stronger race but still promises to be the one to beat given that the majority of his rivals were groping for their best form when last seen. Lough Derg was well held on his return whilst the likes of Alderluck, Backbord, Rodrigo Gonzales, King's Forest and Always Bold have something to prove. That's not to say that they can't win and support would be worth noting but it would be no surprise to see Tasheba emerge as the biggest threat to the selection as he's not too badly treated once his jockey's claim is taken into account and he may appreciate this better ground.
Tasheba 9-1 (11-5) In touch, driven 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out, 13th of 16, 44l behind Beshabar (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Lough Derg (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Led narrowly to 8th, soon lost place, behind from next, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Amber Brook (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Working Title (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear next, mistake last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Sep beating No Rules (10-13) by 6l, 12 ran.
Alderluck (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Close up, led 5th, hit 6th, soon reminders, headed 7th, quickly weakened, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Picture This (10-7) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gd in May, 21 ran.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, under pressure 11th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 13, well behind Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Maraafeq (USA) 25-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 6th, well beaten 4 out, 18th of 22, well behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
King's Forest (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway to chase leaders next, soon ridden, never near leaders, 8th of 14, 27l behind Amber Brook (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Backbord (GER) 13-2 (11-5) In rear, not fluent, bad mistake 4th, well behind 12th, pulled up after, in a race won by Royal Kicks (9-9) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Always Bold (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and lost place from 10th, 5th of 8, well behind Golan Way (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
