always behind, struggling 4 out
in touch, pecked 2nd, left 2nd 8th, led before 2 out, clear last, driven out
mid-division on inside, steady headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, weakened last
in rear when hampered 8th, well behind 3 out
always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, hampered 8th, ridden before 3 out, weakened and mistake 2 out
held up, in rear, jumped left 1st, some headway on inner after 3 out, never in contention
led until blundered and unseated rider 8th
hit 1st, in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened soon after
held up, in rear, steady headway from 3 out, chased winner last, kept on as winner idled flat, always held
chased leader, left in lead 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, never going pace to reach leaders
held up, towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders from next, kept on, one pace flat
mid-division on outer, hit 4 out, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, hit 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, hampered 8th, weakened beafore last
chased leaders, kept on, one pace after 2 out
Alfie Sherrin looks an obvious contender along with Queen Poline and Woolfall Treasure, whilst Ian Williams is having a good season and in Fredo he has a live contender, however preference is for TARATEENO. The selection's form has been repeatedly franked and whilst this is a step up in grade, he certainly deserves it. Only time will tell whether a stone higher mark is beyond him, however he likes soft ground, is progressive and has form in big fields. Alfie Sherrin was well-fancied when third to Mr Thriller at Chepstow in October. However this longer trip looks like it will suit, as will the better ground, and this Kayf Tara gelding is exciting. Tot Of The Knar needs to bounce back, Elusive Dream has the talent to feature and is falling down the weights, but one cannot help feeling that he is in to set the weights for his stablemate. Squadron is starting to look well-treated, So Now doesn't, whilst Teenage Idol and Queen Poline are unexposed novices who are stepping up to the plate. Fredo holds a few of these on a form line through Volador, whilst better is expected from Quinz after a break and now tacking better ground; his beating of Burton Port in April is top form. An open race as expected, with narrow preference for Tarateeno.
Elusive Dream 10-1 (11-1) Chased winner until ridden and weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 9, 30l behind Golan Way (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Alfie Sherrin 11-8fav (10-0) Held up in mid-division, headway into 3rd after 7th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression when hit next, lost well held 2nd last, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.
Squadron 3-1 (11-12) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra from last, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 7, 18l behind Carrickboy (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb '09.
Tot Of The Knar 11-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, weakened from 11th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind I Hear Thunder (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
So Now (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) In touch, joined leaders 9th, ridden and every chance from 3 out, kept on, held from last, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
Teenage Idol (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd when fell 3rd, in a race won by Bedlam Boy (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Dante Hall (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, 10th after halfway, no extra from before 2 out, 13th of 22, 28l behind Colbert Station (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Jan.
Night Orbit 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 18l behind Magic Sky (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Tarateeno 11-4fav (10-2) Mid-division, headway 2nd, ridden approaching 8th, blundered next, led before 2 out, soon in command, eased towards finish, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Thedeboftheyear (10-4) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Triggerman 13-2 (9-8) Held up in rear, bumped and mistake 7th, soon pushed along, stayed on approaching 2 out, left modest 4th last, 4th of 13, 16l behind Micheal Flips (10-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Queen Poline (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Always prominent, went 2nd after 3rd, led 6th until after next, left in lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, still challenging flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Little George (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Stripe Me Blue 22-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, chased leader from 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 15, 15l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-155 (2) sft in Dec.
Fredo (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, every chance last, chased winner soon after, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Volador (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Woolfall Treasure 5-1 (11-2) Mistakes, held up, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 4th, driven along from 4 out, headway after next, chased leading pair 2 out, beaten before last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Higgy's Boy (11-9) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Forzy Origny (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Raced on inside, held up in rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 16, 35l behind Volador (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Herons Well (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 19l behind Gold Award (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Quinz (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, blundered 10th and next, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
The Real Deal (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Close up, mistake 6th, 6th and weakening when blundered 3 out, 7th of 12, 20l behind Qhilimar (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Merigo (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, under pressure 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.