led, driven before 3 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, no impression on leaders, mistake last
prominent, went 2nd after 3rd until well before 3 out, weakened
held up from behind, took keen hold, headway to 3rd 3 out, jumped right 2 out, never near front pair
held up in rear, pulled hard, struggling after 6th
in touch, mistake 5th, jumped slowly next, soon shaken up, weakened approaching 3 out
pressed leader until after 3rd, remained prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 6th
held up, effort after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
always prominent, chased leader approaching 3 out, ridden when jumped right last, led final 100 yards, soon in command
I'm So Lucky is 7lbs 'well-in' today so has an obvious chance but this does look fairly competitive. Whilst none are dismissed with complete confidence the three that appeal most against the likely favourite are Monfils Monfils, Distiller and Corran Ard. Nicky Henderson is a profitable man to follow here and Monfils Monfils must be respected but it's hard to see quite why he should land this contest despite a respectable run last time. Corran Ard looks potentially well handicapped on his form in 2006 and is entitled to improve significantly for his reappearance; the market should guide. Distiller boasts better recent form following his second in a Sandown handicap although those to have run since have done little for the form. That was very much a step in the right direction for a juvenile who's been highly tried on occasion and he may continue to progress as long as the ground is riding fairly fast. However, the Pipe horse has plenty going for him besides being a handicap snip. He was a Listed winner on the Flat and looked like taking high order over hurdles prior to losing his way. His victory at Stratford was his first run for the Nicholashayne team and it would be no surprise to see him make steady progress up the ranks now that he has got his head in front. He has plenty of weight but I'm So Lucky should be followed.
I'm So Lucky 11-2 (11-6) Always prominent, led 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Jazz Scene (9-12) by 8l, 13 ran.
Sebastiano (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 15l behind Trouble At Bay (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Cape Greko 20-1 (10-5) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out, 11th of 14, 46l behind Mon Michel (10-4) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Corran Ard (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up, ridden after 3 out, beaten after 2 out, 9th of 10, 43l behind Trouble At Bay (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Corum (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, all out and headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Dariak (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden, outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Carly Bay (10-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Lit Et Mixe (10-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Tora Petcha (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, outpaced 2 out, ran on again approaching last, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Top Achiever (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Nesnaas (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, well behind Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Distiller (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Noble Raider (11-3) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
