held up in last pair, ridden after 3 out, no impression on leaders approaching next
held up in last pair, ridden after 3 out, driven from next, stayed on to take moderate 3rd near finish
close up and always going well, headway on bit to lead 3 out, 6 lengths clear going easily last, heavily eased towards finish
chased leader to after 6th, stayed in 3rd, weakened tamely after 3 out
chased leaders, reminders and dropped to rear 6th, no chance after
chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th to 3 out, stayed in 3rd, ridden, no impression and hung right from 2 out, lost 3rd near finish
held up, driven and struggling after 4 out
led to 3 out, no chance with winner from next, closed as winner heavily eased flat
Refinement looks set for a big run here and is taken to beat Chomba Womba and Cool Roxy. Jonjo O'Neill's star has to give plenty of weight away this afternoon but should be up to the task. He ended last season with a smooth victory in a Grade one contest in Ireland and following a couple of spins on the flat he should be spot on for this. Chomba Womba is one of a number of horses sent to Nicky Henderson from Richard Kelvin Hughes and she put in some solid displays across the water last season. If she is fit for her return she should go close. One that is in cracking form at the moment is Cool Roxy. He was second in a decent hurdles race before running out a game winner of a handicap chase. He still looks on a fair mark and should make his presence felt. Cantabilly is also a recent winner and warrants respect, however Refinement is the class act in the race and he gets our vote.
Refinement (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, 7th and progress 4 out, 4th and ridden 2 out, headway on outer approaching last, led early run-in, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 3m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Powerstation (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mobaasher (USA) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked clear leader, led after 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Katchit (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Close up, led after 7th, strongly pressed 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and no extra after last, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Grangeclare Lark (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Glacial Sunset (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Led, headed 6th, weakened after 8th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Sonnyanjoe (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Warne's Way (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch, not fluent 6th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 14, 20l behind Don't Push It (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 80-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, soon behind, 12th of 16, 25l behind Kanad (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Cantabilly (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden from 7th, headway after 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well flat to lead post, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct beating Bureaucrat (11-12) by a hd, 9 ran.
Cool Roxy 11-8fav (11-9) Made all, soon clear with one other, jumped right 5th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, in command between last 2, idled flat, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct beating Big Rob (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
