never better than mid-division, towards rear and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 4th until approaching 3 out, chased leader until after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened before the last
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders on outside, led approaching 3 out, slightly hampered by loose horse next, ridden and headed between last 2, lost modest 3rd last, weakened run-in
always towards rear, never on terms
led until 4th, chased leader until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened between last 2
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 2nd and hit 2 out, led between last 2, clear approaching last, stayed on strongly
always behind, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, went modest 3rd last
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, plugged on run-in
mid-division, headway on inside approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake next, eased, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
in touch on inside, pushed along after 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place 3rd, pulled up quickly before 6th
towards rear, steady headway before 2 out, weakened between last 2, hit last
towards rear, blundered 2nd, tailed off 3 out, and pulled up soon after
chasing leaders when mistake and unseated rider 2nd
always behind
chased leaders, hit 3rd, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, plugging on when hit last, modest 4th towards finish
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, 6th and weakening when blundered last
This valuable handicap tends to be dominated by five and six-year-olds who are still on an upward curve. Several fit the bill this year with Jenkins sharing top weight with High Bridge, another defending an unbeaten record around here. James Bowen’s mount has a penalty but is in peak form, though is only one of five entries for the champion trainer. Lough Derg Spirit is preferred to Verdana Blue of the other four, though others look better treated. The mare Irish Roe has already won four times this season but probably ran her best race in defeat in a Grade 2 at Doncaster two weeks ago. Misterton ran a cracking race in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November when a pound out of the handicap while Lalor arrives with similar credentials to last year’s winner Ballyandy. He’s yet to score over hurdles but has shown bags of promise and the likely strong pace here will help him settle. Silver Streak and Willie Mullins’ Bleu Et Rouge both ran well in a Grade 3 at Ascot in December when sandwiching Verdana Blue and Lanzarote second Spiritofthegames should be staying on in the closing stages but KALASHNIKOV (NAP) should also give supporters a run for their money. After two impressive victories in novice company, he lost nothing in defeat in the Tolworth at Sandown when the heavy going blunted his speed. Amy Murphy’s charge is a strong traveller who is still very much unexposed.
High Bridge 9-4fav (11-10) Made all and set steady pace, quickened approaching 3 out, joined last, ridden and kept on gamely when strongly pressed run-in, on top towards finish, won at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec beating Charli Parcs (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Jenkins (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Raced wide, always prominent, 2nd before 7th, led 4 out, joined 2 out, stayed on gamely to assert run-in, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan beating Air Horse One (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Bleu Et Rouge (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, switched right before last, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 17, 6l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 5-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Charli Parcs (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outside, weakened after 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 17, 14l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Divin Bere (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Keen in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 14th of 17, 30 1/2l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Remiluc (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, mistake 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Huntsman Son (11-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Moon Racer (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders on outside, niggled along after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, lost place 2 out, no extra, 6th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Pingshou (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gd in Apr.
Misterton 10-1 (10-0) Led after 1st, driven and headed briefly turning in, ridden after last, headed narrowly flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Elgin (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Chased leading pair, pushed along on long run before 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd approaching the last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Summerville Boy (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Project Bluebook (FR) 40-1 (10-6) Held behind, outpaced 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Elgin (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Kayf Grace 11-4fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, led before 2 out, pressed from 2 out, joined last, pushed along to assert final 100 yards, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Eddiemaurice (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders after 3 out, led on outside before the last, narrowly headed last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind William Henry (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, keen, headed after 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3l behind London Prize (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Poppy Kay 15-8fav (11-0) Raced keenly, held up last, 3rd on outside travelling well before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, soon challenging, led narrowly approaching last, joined and driven run-in, stayed on to assert towards finish, won at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan beating Midnight Jazz (11-0) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Lalor (GER) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, steadied before 2nd, headway 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders led going well and hung left before 2 out, clear when went left and hit last, kept on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Notre Ami (11-8) by 7l, 8 ran.
Waterlord 11-4 (11-4) Led, headed before 4 out, challenged 3 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind First Flow (11-4) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
William H Bonney 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on same pace, 6th of 11, 12l behind A Hare Breath (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Irish Roe (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, every chance last, kept on gamely run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Maria's Benefit (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) sft in Jan.
Silver Streak (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Nietzsche 28-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 3rd, every chance when hit 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 10th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders on outside, mistake 4 out, urged along after 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 6th of 16, 8 1/4l behind William Henry (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Zalvados (FR) 4-6fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd on bit before 3 out, led 2 out, clear from last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Shivermetimbers (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
