towards rear, weakened 3 out
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened next
in touch, hit 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway and hit 4 out and 2 out, ridden and every chance last, switched left flat, kept on one pace
in rear, outpaced 3 out
tracked leader, ridden and lost place 4 out, tailed off
led, ridden 2out, headed last, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
keen, in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, ran on
Our Thomas hasn’t won since his hurdling debut in October of last year but has his sights lowered here. Vivas beat Next Edition in a hands and heels race here last month and is only a pound worse off – collateral form gives him the beating of First Fandango. But we prefer COBRA DE MAI as he’s been running well enough this season without looking like winning. Dan Skelton’s four-year-old is slowly slipping down the weights and is effective over this intermediate distance. Mwaleshi is 12lb lower than when last scoring over hurdles in 2012 but he’s not getting any younger.
Our Thomas (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon went 2nd switched left before 2 out, no impression on winner last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Unison (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 15-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 4th before next, no impression on leaders before last, 4th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Florrie Boy (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Vivas (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd last, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Limited Reserve (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Bowie (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) In touch in 4th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Isaac Bell (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, dist behind Eyes Of A Tiger (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
First Fandango 9-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Chic Theatre (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Fort Carson (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3rd, soon lost place, well beaten 3 out, last of 9, dist behind Applesandpierres (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Mwaleshi 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 4 out, headed after 3 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 13 1/2l behind One For Hocky (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Next Edition (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Pulled hard, held up, headway 5th, close up, ridden and no impression 2 out, driven and stayed on to press for 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Chic Theatre (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Kauto Riko (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Vosne Romanee (11-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
