tracked leaders, hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakening when pulled up before next
led, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headed, left leader 2 out, blundered last, headed and no extra flat
tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 3 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths up when unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, hit 4th, ridden and held 3 out until rallied from last to lead flat, driven out
towards rear, effort 5th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
held up, lost place 5th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, smooth headway to tracked leaders 4 out, ridden next and soon one pace
Harper Valley will be a warm order following his defeat of Franchoek but Tamimi's History could prove to be an interesting adversary. Los Nadis is best of the remainder with experience but it's hard to see him getting the better of Harper Valley who has progressed with each of his three starts over hurdles and could continue in a similar vein. He should be hard to beat but Tamimi's History is a fascinating opponent. He holds an entry in the Triumph and his connections went close to winning that race with Faasel in 2005. Like Faasel, he showed a decent level of form on the Flat in Ireland for Kevin Prendergast, winning twice and competing from a mark of 100 on his final start. This is a tough enough introduction and Harpers Valley is selected but this could be interesting.
Harper Valley (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd between last 2, cajoled to lead just before last, stayed on well flat and always doing enough, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Dec beating Franchoek (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Los Nadis (GER) 10-11fav (11-5) Made all, hit last, driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating First Buddy (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Pertemps Networks 6-4fav (11-12) Made all, joined 3 out, ridden next, kept on run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan beating Hall of Fame (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Led, headed briefly when reluctant to race past paddock bend after the 3rd, hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat and beaten close home, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Florentino (10-5) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Act Sirius (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden approaching and every chance 2 out, kept on to lead run-in, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Quick Will (10-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Grand Art (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 33l behind Los Nadis (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sonara (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, blundered 2 out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Harper Valley (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Tamimi's History 13-2jt-fav (9-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th 3f out, 4th straight, kept on under pressure, 5th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Forthright (8-11) at Galway 1m 4f prm hcp gd in Aug (Flat).
