led, narrow advantage when not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner
midfield, took closer order 3rd, almost upsides 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden clear last, ran on strongly
held up, not fluent 4 out, ridden soon after, tailed off when mistake 2 out
tracked leader, awkward 5th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and lost place before 3 out, tailed off when tired jump 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along before 4 out, lost ground and ridden soon after, pulled up before 3 out
midfield, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden and close up when drifted left 2 out, kept on without troubling front pair
towards rear, ridden before 3 out, steady headway into modest 4th 2 out, one pace
Zarrar’s win in a Plumpton maiden was probably nothing special and it will be a surprise if he can defy his penalty in this. Switch Hitter changed hands for £120,000 after winning a point-to-point so will be expected to win races – he’s had just one run in a bumper since joining Paul Nicholls. Sam Twiston-Davies rides newcomer Stadmallen rather than the more-experienced Vulcan Bomber but DOES HE KNOW (NAP) can give Kim Bailey back-to-back victories in this. He was only beaten a length by a smart novice over track and trip last November and there should be plenty more to come this term. Zarafshan has had his chances and may fare better in handicaps.
Zarrar (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led until 5th, chased leader, in front again before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in Sep beating Highway One (10-5) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Does He Know 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, not much room 2 out or just after last, stayed on, always just held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind House Island (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f (2) sft in Nov.
Fier Echezeaux (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Raced wide, always towards rear, ridden and beaten after 4 out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind One Touch (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Peddler (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next, last of 5, 20 1/4l behind Present Ranger (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gd in May.
Vulcan Bomber 10-1 (11-0) Held up, steady progress 7f out, niggled along and in touch when swerved left and unseated rider 4f out, at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Zarafshan (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon behind, 8th of 12, dist behind Quloob (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Aug.
Crystal Gazing 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division on inside, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, dist behind Quloob (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Aug.
Switch Hitter (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, driven over 3f out, soon one pace, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Kepagge (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Arcadian Pearl (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear of mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Ask A Honey Bee (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Go On Chez 125-1 (11-0) In rear, virtually ran out and pulled up before 5th, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Sep.
Stadmallen (IRE) Getaway gelding out of Honey Blond.
