tracked leaders, going well before when led 2 out, clear between last 2, hit last, easily
chased leaders, ridden 4th, soon lost place and struggling, tailed off
led at steady pace, ridden and headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, lost well held 3rd soon after last
in touch, mistake 2nd, slow jump 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, struggling before next
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon struggling, tailed off
mistakes, always behind, mistake 5th, 7th and well beaten when blundered badly 2 out
chased leader, challenged 2 out, well held between last 2, hit last (can do better)
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
held up, soon in mid-division, driven in 4th after 3 out, plugged on to take 3rd soon after last
hit 1st, mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off 3 out, tired when fell 2 out
Nonrunner
A penalty for ENFANT DE LUNE makes life tougher but with the stable in such good form it is hard to oppose him; onto the shortlist go Have You Seen Me and Okafranca. The selection has to give at least 7lbs to all of his rivals today, but he looks capable of doing so. His defeat of Thundering Star back in December reads well and assuming that the ground doesn¿t deteriorate too much, he should put up a bold show. Super Directa improved markedly on his hurdling debut at Doncaster when finishing second to Aachen last time. That looks good form and whilst he may have been flattered to finish so close, he must be considered today. Allfortara has a bit more experience but has run in some good races; she was well-held recently behind the Alan King-trained Santia and so it is assumed that the trainer of the selection will know where he stands. Okafranca improved last time out and further improvement can be assumed, whilst at a price the returning Have You Seen Me makes his hurdling bow and the market may help guide there. A tricky opener, but preference is for Enfant De Lune.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Thundering Star (11-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Bee Sting 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, bumped 2nd, went prominent after 3rd, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 45l behind Red Moloney (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Have You Seen Me (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) last of 17, well behind Cousin Vinny (12-0) at Punchestown 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Knight Woodsman 25-1 (10-11) In touch, driven halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Kealshore Lass (10-0) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Pugilist 100-1 (11-3) Always in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Rear Gunner (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sir Ian (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Jumped left 1st and 2nd, hung badly left on bend after 2nd, headed well before next, behind and eased from 4th, 8th of 9, 43l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Sizeable Return 9-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, headway halfway, went 3rd 6f out, not much room on inside well over 3f out, weakened and heavily eased over 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Bermuda Pointe (10-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Apr '06.
Super Directa (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to chase winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Aachen (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Giollacca (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 6f out, 6th of 13, 36l behind Gilwen Glory (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Okafranca (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Elk Trail (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sleeping 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Optimus Maximus (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Allfortara (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in last pair, ridden 4 out, stayed on to take poor 4th flat, 4th of 7, 14l behind Santia (11-1) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
