in touch until ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, mistake 4th, headway after 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on flat
soon towards rear, mistake 4th, struggling 3 out
chased leaders, challenged going well 2 out, led soon after, not fluent last, stayed on well flat
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
led, not fluent 4th, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, pushed along to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon every chance, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, steady headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace and no impression from next
always towards rear, under pressure 6th, never in contention
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened and mistake 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, mistake last
held up towards rear, rapid headway to press leaders 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, lost touch soon after, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, driven and weakened quickly 5th, soon in rear, tailed off
THUNDERING STAR is nominated here despite the nagging doubt over the track not playing to his strengths; onto the shortlist go the progressive duo of Eleazar and Honest John with the game Amigayle another for consideration. An opening handicap mark of 124 looks about right on what he has achieved so far, however Paul Nicholl's gelding was Group-class on the flat in South Africa and as such may have a bit more to give. The step up in trip is an obvious move for this strong-stayer and with the hope that his flat tactical speed will enable him to cope with this speedy track a big run is expected. With both King Jack and the returning Khumbu, Richard Phillips looks to have a fairly strong hand and the stable are in good form at the moment. Amigayle is tough as old boots and Suzy Smith's mare cannot be overlooked despite a 7lb rise for her recent win as she continues over hurdles. I Have Dreamed has been put up 5lbs for a second place behind Culcabock at Cheltenham; he has form on quick tracks and is unlikely to be far away today. Lady Pilot has a different profile as she is more exposed but with AP McCoy up again she may be capable of more improvement. Bormo is yet to win in nine starts but has shown more than enough, whilst Honest John looks progressive and Dansimar represents a team in good form and was a ready winner last time out at Hereford in a weaker race than this. A competitive affair, but Thundering Star can return to winning ways.
Royals Darling (GER) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, reminder 11th, behind when hit 14th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec, 18 ran.
Dansimar 17-2 (11-9) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft beating Giovanna (10-10) by 6l, 13 ran.
Honest John 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 5th, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Gee Dee Nen (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Eleazar (GER) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Pigeon Island (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept '07.
King Jack 7-2fav (10-7) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Aimigayle 4-1 (10-6) Made all, hit 4 out, driven and stayed on when strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec beating Hora (11-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Thundering Star (SAF) 11-10fav (11-5) Close up, hit 4th, led 5th, blundered 2 out, soon headed, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Enfant De Lune (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Pilot 9-2jt-fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, hampered on bend after 5th, headway after next, went 3rd 7th, led between last 2, ran on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Absolut Power (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Dusky Lord 100-1 (11-0) Held up, behind from 4th, 5th of 6, 26l behind Celestial Halo (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Bormo (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, headed last, rallied and hard ridden flat, just failed, 2nd of 15, nk behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Gold Gun (USA) 18-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 14th of 19, well behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Khumbu 7-4fav (11-3) Keen in touch, headway after 4th, edged right on bend soon after, mistake 7th, ridden 4 out to chase leading pair in vain, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Krackatara (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Wun Chai (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 15, 29l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, took 2nd flat, kept on, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
