chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra from last, lost 3rd near finish
held up, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, mistake next, stayed on from last to take 3rd near finish
made all, soon clear, in command from 3 out
held up in touch, pushed along 5th, weakening when hit next
held up, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch and keen, weakened approaching 2 out
EUROPEAN DREAM is the selection with Pagan Starprincess and Squadron the others of note. Richard Guest's charge has been a credit to connections with his consistency and he comes here fresh off the back of a success in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Although better on good ground, he has shown an aptitude for today's surface in the past. Pagan Starprincess accounted for no less than Chomba Womba at Doncaster. It's fair to say that Nicky Henderson's mare probably didn't run up to anything like her mark but one couldn't crab George Moore's runner for that. Squadron invariably finds one too good. He was pulled up in his latest engagement so the market is watched before investments are considered. Carrickboy is unexposed and this is a brave call to leap from a Taunton maiden into this sphere. Quazy De Joie landed a gamble on Boxing Day at Towcester so the bookies will be forgiven for some cautious pricing here. Flying Grey and Dancer's Serenade both have solid lines of form but both will need to produce career bests in order to land this event. A good race and European Dream is our pick.
Squadron 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division until after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec, 21 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, driven to lead flat, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd beating Along The Nile (10-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Pagan Starprincess 28-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway when left 3rd 3 out, challenged and every chance next, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, won at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Chomba Womba (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Carrickboy (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Made all, went clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy beating Intensifier (10-10) by 5l, 12 ran.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, led again 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Chaim (11-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Flying Grey (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, ridden and no impression on long run to 6th, tailed off, 4th of 5, 38l behind Restless D'artaix (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In rear, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Cromwell Court (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
