in touch, close 6th 5f out, in mid-division over 2f out
always towards rear
held up in rear, headway to mid-division over 2f out, stayed on into close 4th near finish
close up in 4th 5f out, disputing 4th over 2f out, weakened
led early, 2nd 5f out, weakened 2f out
always behind, in rear and struggling over 2f out
led early, in touch 5f out, struggling in rear over 2f out
disputing close 5th 5f out, close 4th 2f out, kept on towards finish
towards rear over 2f out, headway to 5th near finish
towards rear 5f out, mid-division and driven along over 2f out, weakened
raced in 3rd early, close 3rd 5f out, in lead 2f out, in command near finish
always towards rear, last and struggling 2f out
towards rear 5f out, came wide into straight, 7th near finish
towards rear 5f out, in touch and mid-division over 2f out, ran on inside 2nd near finish
Hugh Morrison's Yonder seemed not to take to hurdles when well beaten behind Peveril at Leicester in November and she now returns to the flat racing off the same mark as when successful here in June and she has to be respected but other jumpers may have more solid claims with preference and the vote going for LADY PILOT over Tribe. Paul Webber's gelding disappointed over hurdles recently and was beaten some way out at Doncaster last month having shown some useful form previously when winning at Wetherby in May. He has to be respected back on the flat and makes more appeal than Peter Hiatt's Spiritonthemount, who remains a maiden after 19 starts. Gary Moore's Prince Charlemagne could probably do with some help from the handicapper, while Kentmere seems the second best of Paul Webber's three runners behind Tribe, with Sarando his other representative. The vote then goes the way of Jim Best's Lady Pilot, who has shown a decent level of form over hurdles and latterly over fences, and she looks worth siding with back on the level off what seems a fair mark.
Yonder 8-1 (10-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Epsom Salts (11-5) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Lady Pilot 5-2fav (10-0) Took keen hold, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 27l behind Dazzling Begum (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, some headway final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 6l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Kentmere (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) In touch and going well, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led well inside final furlong, pushed clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jun '04 beating Hugs Destiny (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sarando 15-2 (9-2) Led until over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, quickly one pace, 6th of 11, 5l behind Dishdasha (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcap (6) pol in Jan '09.
Tribe 7-2 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway 10f out, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5f out, no chance with winner from 2f out and lost 2nd final 150 yards, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Swordsman (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Kristallo (GER) (9-0) 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Warstein (9-0) at Halle(GER) 1m 3f stk in Sep.
Hampton Court 4-1 (8-7) In touch, headway half way, pushed along 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, faded, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Flash Of Colour (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr '08.
Acropolis (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) With leader, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, weakened, 6th of 14, 12l behind Shannersburg (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks in Dec.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 50-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon handy, led over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, headed just inside final 2f, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Dani's Girl (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Purely By Chance 16-1 (8-9) Led 3f, tracked leaders after, ridden and weakened 4f out, 10th of 11, 10l behind Squirtle (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Colourful Move 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led after 3f, headed over 3f out, close up and ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 7l behind Squirtle (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Empire Seeker (USA) 4-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Denton (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Honorable Endeavor 7-1 (9-0) Led until over 8f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 9, 28l behind Merrion Tiger (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
