tracked leader, hard ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
behind, driven and headway 3 out, soon hard ridden, never on terms
soon in touch, under pressure after 6th, lost place 4 out, pulled up soon after
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, pushed along 4th, tailed off 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up next
held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, headway 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 6th, chased leaders next, led before 2 out, ridden clear, eased near finish
soon tracking leader, mistake 3 out, soon driven to lead, headed 2 out, weakened
River D'Or is undoubtedly capable of better but can't be backed with confidence and of more interest are STOW and Helpston. Cabinet Minister and Wolf Moon are the form horses in the race but the former is up in trip, weights and class whilst the latter is respected but may need a stiffer test at this trip and have one eye on Cheltenham. The market will be useful with regard to Wolf Moon as it's possible that a penalty will cement his place in his Festival engagement of choice. However, we'd rather go hunting for one at a price and cases can be made for a few. River D'Or has it all to prove after two poor runs for the yard and is likely to be short enough so he's next off the list. Helpston ran an encouraging race last time and could be suited by the drop back in trip so he's respected but a chance is taken on Stow who's been badly out of form this season but has dropped to a very attractive mark. Better was expected from Numide in the totesport Trophy and Gary Moore has won this race twice in recent years whilst Jonjo O'Neill also has his name on the board and Dante Hall would be of interest if attracting support on his second start for the yard. Rathcor was in front of Wolf Moon at Towcester but the Keighley horse has improved and he could struggle to confirm the form. Sangfroid is capable but doesn't win often enough given his ability and he was behind Clova Island last time who is open to more improvement and could go well. An open race which could go to Stow if he can bounce back to form.
Helpston 12-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Tarateeno (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Numide (FR) 22-1 (10-3) Held up, towards rear, stayed on from after 3 out, never in contention, 14th of 23, 25l behind Get Me Out Of Here (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) Held up in 5th, improved after 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan beating Balthazar King (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Made all, under pressure last, ridden flat, kept on well towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Sir Kezbaah (10-10) by 1l, 10 ran.
Stow 66-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led briefly before 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 11, 38l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Dante Hall (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Held up, in rear, jumped left 1st, some headway on inner after 3 out, never in contention, 10th of 18, 20l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Rathcor 8-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th or 9th, headway 2 out, untidy last, edged right flat, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 7, 13l behind Wolf Moon (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
River D'or (FR) 9-2fav (10-8) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 18, 7l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Sangfroid 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 5th of 19, 20l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Clova Island 7-1 (10-11) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, every chance next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 19, 14l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Stripe Me Blue 8-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 16th of 18, well behind Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
