held up last, lost touch 5th, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, weakened 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway and chased leaders 3 out, ridden and ran on well from 2 out
in touch, mistake 6th, headway and chased leaders 3 out, kept on from 2 out
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent, headway on bit 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon led, pushed clear from last, comfortably
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra
Imperial Rocket has to be respected following his win at Stratford last time but a 7lb penalty makes life tougher for the eight-year-old and a chance is taken with handicap newcomer Kilindini, who is preferred to Cool Spice. The last mentioned has claims on the form shown when successful over course and distance on his reappearance but struggled off her new mark last time and is probably best watched now, while Martin Pipe's Anatar could probably do with some help from the handicapper judged by two previous runs this term. Lack of a recent run for Goss may not be a problem with Jonjo O'Neill's stable in good form at present though he is another that appears to be a shade high in the weights. Toi Express is entitled to need the run after a break, while Room To Room Gold needs to improve on recent evidence to trouble the judge. The vote then goes to Emma Lavelle's Kilindini, who has shown progressive form in novice hurdles, including over this trip and looks to be well enough treated for his debut in this grade.
Cool Spice 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden and mistake 7th, never on terms, 9th of 16, 20l behind Achilles Wings (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jun.
Anatar (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Behind, headway approaching 5th, weakening when pecked 7th, 5th of 13, 21l behind Schapiro (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Jun.
Toi Express (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up and behind, jumped right 4th, unsighted by loose horse and fell at the 5th in race won by Davoski (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Kilindini 5-2 (11-1) Led to 2nd, remained in touch, ridden 2 out, every chance last, not quicken, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Grey Tune (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun.
Goss 16-1 (11-10) Led, headed approaching 6th, ridden and weakened quickly, 6th of 7, 40l behind Ken Scott (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Room To Room Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 5th, short-lived effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 19l behind Zarakash (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf.
Imperial Rocket (USA) 10-1 (10-1) Always prominent, went 2nd 6th, led 2 out, ran on, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf beating Kentmere (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Arm And A Leg (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Led to after 4th, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, 22l behind Schapiro (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Jun.
