mid-division, headway after 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace from last
mid-division, hit 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, staying on same pace when hit last
mid-division until weakened soon after 3 out
chased clear leader, led 2 out, went right and hit last, stayed on, ridden out
led, soon clear, headed when blundered 2 out, weakened
held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway after 3 out, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
in touch until weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
A tricky puzzle given the lack of form on offer though PERSIAN STORM has obvious credentials and we anticipate that he can account for John Terry and Wessex King. Tried in listed company on the flat, Gary Moore's charge was a useful sort in Germany, placing in Group 3 at Frankfurt. John Terry didn't cut too much ice on hurdling debut though he is a fair middle distance handicapper on the level. Wessex King made a brave bid at Wetherby to see off Teenage Idol under a penalty. That form could be good but by the same token, the Howard Johnson inmate was well beaten last time out. Celtic Gold started off life in bumpers though managed to win a maiden at Lingfield on the flat this winter. Murphy has had something of an interesting past. Highly regarded by Carl Llewellyn, it would be interesting were he ridden under positive tactics around here. Love And Glory won readily at Plumpton in December. He had run well in two early season Cheltenham contests. The market is likely to tell us plenty and Persian Storm is our pick.
Wessex King (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out, no impression between last 2, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Teenage Idol (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Basis Point (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 16, 21l behind Flemmingsbond (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Nov.
Celtic Gold (USA) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division until weakened 3f out, 12th of 15, well behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd in Nov.
Hohlethelonely 5-2fav (10-6) Hit 1st and 2nd, in touch, headway to chase leaders from 3 out, one pace approaching last, 5th of 16, 6l behind Silk Affair (10-8) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
John Terry (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked winner, hit 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Deep Purple (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Dec '07.
King Brex (DEN) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 3 out, took 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Murphy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, slow jump 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 14, 19l behind Clay Hollister (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Persian Storm (GER) 13-2 (9-0) Pulled hard in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 5, 24l behind Re Barolo (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol (Flat).
Wisteria Lane (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway after next, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind Acordeon (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs.
Love And Glory (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Held up in 4th, hit 3rd, closed on leading pair going well 3 out, led and went left 2 out, in command before last, driven right out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Nino Cochise (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Miss Ladybird (USA) 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 4th until wandered before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 14l behind Atomic Winner (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Bingo des Mottes (FR) April Night gelding out of Royale Bee.
Danesman 9-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leader 3 out, led next, soon under pressure, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Walkon (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Nov.
