WHEELS UP is the call with Arturo Uno and Award Winner others likely to have a say in the outcome of this prize. The application of a tongue strap seems to have gleaned much more in the way of consistency from the Jonjo O'Neill charge and while the handicapper has not exactly made life easy; this is not the strongest of races by Newbury standards and he would not need to have improved by too much to take the prize. Arturo Uno may have been beaten at Huntingdon even if he had not capsized at the last. He has ran well at this course in the past. Award Winner is not without quirks and while beaten by the proverbial cricket score on his three recent outings, that obtained against much stronger opposition than this. Sole Agent proved bitterly disappointing at Wetherby. Deep Quest seems to need much further these days while Senor Shane attempts to defy the handicapper after successes at Lingfield and Plumpton. The combination of visor and tongue strap remain. Marsh Court has been out of sorts for a while though this likeable mare is dropping toward a more realistic mark. Wheels Up appears to hold the most cogent case.
Deep Quest 9-1 (11-12) Never jump with any fluency in rear, ridden and hit 14th, tailed off next, well in rear when pulled up approach 18th (5 out), in a race won by Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Award Winner 40-1 (11-0) Mistakes 5th and 8th, always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Wheels Up (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Slight lead to 3rd, chased winner after, driven between last 2, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Sole Agent (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place from 5 out, last of 8, 44l behind Le Roi Rouge (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 14th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Terrible Tenant (10-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Pret A Thou (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Led, raced keenly, 8 lengths clear, ridden when slipped badly on bend and unseated rider approaching 4 out, in a race won by Noble Crusader (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Arturo Uno (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 2nd, clear approaching 2 out, 4 lengths ahead but being closed down when fell last, in a race won by Desperate Dex (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Senor Shane (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Close up, blundered 12th, led approaching 2 out, all out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Omme Antique (10-8) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Marsh Court 8-1 (11-2) Behind, blundered 9th, ridden 11th, no impression 4 out, left poor 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 35l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
