tracked leader, led after 4th, clear before 2 out, went further clear before last, impressive
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd on long run before 2 out until before 2 out, weakened 2 out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, never involved, tailed off when fell heavily last
held u towards rear, closer on outside after 3 out, went modest 3rd 2 out
towards rear, outpaced and struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, tailed off
raced keenly, led until after 4th, chased winner until long run before 2 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on
edgy at start, not fluent 1st, raced keenly, held up in touch on inside, not clear run and switched left off inside on long run before 2 out, 2nd before 2 out, plugged on, never any chance with impressive winner
Alan King has won this in two of the last three years. He has two entries this time and it’s probably significant that Tom Cannon prefers newcomer Blame It On Sally to the exposed Tremwedge. The former was a stayer on the Flat so is worth a market check. Auteuil winner Solo has a first start for Paul Nicholls but still holds a Triumph Hurdle entry so a big run is anticipated. The fillies FUJIMOTO FLYER and Fantastic Ms Fox also have lofty ambitions. Emmet Mullins’ raider hasn’t raced since September but carries the colours worn by last year’s winner Fusil Raffles and is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness. Noel Williams’ daughter of Foxwedge is improving fast and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Solo (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Nov beating High King (10-7) by 15l, 14 ran.
Blame It On Sally (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) Led, shaken up briefly halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Anyonecanhaveitall (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Earl Of Harrow 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge 2 out, ridden between last 2, upsides and every chance when mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Extreme Force (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Dancer 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division after 5th, pushed along after 3 out, keeping on same pace when left 4th 2 out, 4th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Cap Du Mathan (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Tremwedge 9-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Chantry House (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) gd in Feb.
Vorashann (FR) 28-1 (10-4) Disputing 4th, jumped slowly 3rd and 5th, pushed along in modest 3rd before 2 out, weakened into 4th after 2 out, 4th of 6, 32 1/2l behind Palladium (10-10) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Feb.
Waterproof 12-1 (10-7) Close up, hit 5th, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching approaching last when left clear, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Eva's Diva (10-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
Fantastic Ms Fox 5-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division and keen, soon tracked leaders, led before last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f lst fll (1) gs in Jan beating Guardia Top (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fujimoto Flyer (JPN) (10-3) won at Auteuil 2m 2f lst hvy in Sep beating Want Of A Nail (10-7) by 9l, 10 ran.
