chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 5th, led 3 out, edged right run-in, driven out
always towards rear
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up, ridden and good headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, not fluent last, lost 2nd close home
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakend quickly and pulled up before 2out
led until 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, led 5th until next, chased winner, rallied well run-in, went left close home
Commercial Flyer hasn't over convinced on good ground but should be too strong for Mystery and Salute. David Johnson's horse has finished behind two useful performers in Nanga Parbat and Monte Cinto in his recent starts and on balance 106 does not look to be a particularly harsh rating given what those horses have done since. Salute has been busy on the all-weather of late for Phillip Hobbs. His performances under National Hunt rules leave some concern as to whether he truly stays the trip and he may well be worth watching until there is evidence to say otherwise. Mystery looked very progressive at the beginning of the season. He lost his way badly beyond Boxing Day and the market should offer an insight into how confident the Tom George team are today. Jockser and Royal Fontenailles have produced some worthwhile pieces of form this term but all of them are with significantly worse conditions underfoot. At the likely odds Wun Chai could be the best of the rest. He posted a fair effort at Taunton over chase fences and should be staying on again at the finish on this occasion. Commercial Flyer looks to hold solid claims in this contest and with Timmy Murphy aboard, he looks very difficult to get away from as a betting medium.
Salute (IRE) 3-1fav Held up mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, soon one pace, 8th of 13, 22l behind King Eider at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 15-8fav Held up and raced keenly, headway 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Nanga Parbat at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs.
Sninfia (IRE) 9-1 Held up, hit 5th, headway approaching 7th, close 4th at last, ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 2l behind Mrs Philip at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Kings Brook 20-1 Tracked leader and raced keenly, hung left from 4 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 11, 22l behind Nanga Parbat at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs.
Jockser (IRE) 5-1 Held up in touch, lost place 3rd, no danger, last of 11, 36l behind Nanga Parbat at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs.
Mystery (GER) 3-1 Mid-division, headway 5th, jumped slowly 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Conroy at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Nabir (FR) 12-1 In touch, ridden approaching 4th, weakened 6th, 11th of 13, 38l behind Space Star at Taunton 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs.
Wun Chai (IRE) 5-1 Held up in touch, kept 2nd, ridden and one pace from 4 out, 4th of 7, 5l behind Silvergino at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf.
