chased leaders, mistake 1st, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
pulled hard towards rear, slow 3rd, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
led until after 1st, lost place halfway
tracked leader, led before 2nd, drew clear last, edged right, ran on strongly
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
tracked leader, lost place 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 4 out
pulled hard tracking leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 5 out
SUPERIOR COMMAND scored in some style over course and distance at the start of January in a manner suggesting he's back to the level of form displayed last season. A rise of 6lb is acceptable and a similar performance will see him go very close. Whispering Storm failed to justify market support on his first run for Neil Mulholland when pulling up at Huntingdon on Boxing Day but will be a threat if recovering the level of form shown previously when with Paul Nicholls. Final Countdown is weighted to get much closer to the selection on their latest running and warrants short-list inclusion, as does Jonny Delta, a consistent course regular who is more than capable of getting in the mix despite topweight.
Jonny Delta 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 8th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Project Bluebook (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Superior Command (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, held on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Stone Quercus (10-11) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Crakehall Lad (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Outpaced behind, early reminders, kept on from over 2f out, 4th of 13, 4l behind My Renaissance (10-0) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Whispering Storm (GER) 4-1jfav (11-8) Held up in touch, lost place 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Next Edition (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Kauto Riko (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Final Countdown 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 5 3/4l behind Superior Command (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Recognition (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace and never dangerous, 4th of 7, 30l behind Nietzsche (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Endeavor 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Superior Command (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Medal Of Freedom (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Led, headed before 3rd, led before 5th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Marcus Antonius (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.