held up in last pair, closer on inside approaching 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, mistake 2 out, never on terms
chased leaders and keen, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, no chance when went left and hit next
led, hit 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd run-in, weakened
in touch, weakened 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders and keen, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
took keen hold, held up in last pair, closer approaching 4th, chased leaders 6th, 4th going well enough before 3 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, plugged on into modest 3rd towards finish
chased leader, led before last, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on well run-in
took keen hold, in touch, jumped slowly 3rd, dropped to last next, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Having saddled two of the last three winners of this, Nicky Henderson has two entries this year. They approach from different direction with Chef Des Obeaux finishing second in a bumper here in March and SANTINI winning a point by 15 lengths in the same month. The latter was sold for £150,000 shortly after and is a half-brother to Dusky Legend, who runs in the previous race, so gets the nod. Robin Waters could be another useful acquisition from the point-to-point ranks and his stable also run Bekkensfirth, who already boasts fair form though might need this. Nabatean was highly rated on the Flat but hasn’t raced since early 2015. Bill And Barn may not have stayed 3m2f at Warwick but this looks a tough heat.
Bekkensfirth 9-2fav (10-4) Prominent, led 10th, blundered on landing 3 out, soon headed, ridden and rallied to have every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Full Shift (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bill And Barn (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders on outside 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and weakened from next, tailed off, 6th of 7, 36 1/2l behind Station Master (10-12) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Keen led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Maria's Benefit (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Mar.
Boss Mans Ladder (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Made most, not fluent 4 out, driven and headed before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 21 1/2l behind Station Master (10-12) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Chef Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went close 2nd 2f out, every chance when edged left 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Sam Brown (11-9) at Newbury 2m (5) sft in Mar.
Nabatean (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders, steadied 12f out, headway 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Clever Cookie (9-6) at York 1m 6f lst (1) gd in May.
Robin Waters (FR) 4-5fav (10-7) Hdwy 11; led app 2 out; r.o wl, won at Stafford Cross 3m mdn gs in Apr beating Pistol Shoot (11-10) by 20l, 7 ran.
Santini 3-1 (11-10) A.p; led 14; drew clr 3 out; unchall, won at Didmarton 3m mdn gs in Mar beating Where You Proposed (11-10) by 15l, 8 ran.
Shades of Silver 12-1 (10-0) Headway to go 2nd after 1 1/2f, lost 2nd halfway, chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Captain Navarre (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
