chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 4 out, close 4th when mistake next, (water) soon outpaced, rallied run-in
in touch, ridden 9th, weakened after 4 out
led, jumped right 2nd and 7th, headed 4 out, weakened
held up rear, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, kept on
behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always prominent, led 4 out, ridden after 3 out, kept on well
in touch, headway 9th, every chance 3 out, ridden and mistake next, one pace after
held up and always towards rear
chased leaders until 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
Saby looked progressive enough a season ago and it is hoped that his absence should have given sufficient enough time to recover his form and on this occasion hold off the claims of Cosmocrat and Amadeus. Saby looked very much a horse to stay on the right side of when he visited the winners enclosure four times within the space of four months last year. He handles the surface well and if match-fit , he'll take the beating. Cosmocrat has ability but also has the tendency to pull much too hard in his races. The booking of Timmy Murphy looks to indicate that he will be anchored out the back in the early stages. Amadeus is another to return off an absence. His chances would be greatly enhanced by overnight rain. Jupon Vert has questions to answer about his well-being but his trainer has sent out plenty of winners of late and any return to form would not be the biggest of surprises this season. Rudetski was clear when falling at Doncaster after fourteen months off the course. While he has fallen on two out of his last three starts, generally speaking his jumping is relatively sound. A tough call on a race where there is little in the way of recent form to go on. Saby is given the vote albeit with a reservation about match fitness.
Saby (FR) 2-1fav In touch, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 15l behind Hamadeenah at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Cosmocrat 10-3 Pulled hard, tracked leading pair, slow 6th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, effort and close 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Haafel at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (D) sft, 4 ran.
Maiful (FR) 11-2 Chased leaders until weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Mel In Blue at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs.
Ideal Jack (FR) 4-1 Held up in touch, headway 8th, close 3rd and every chance when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Silvergino at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf, 7 ran.
He's The Biz (FR) 4-1 Jumped right, tracked leaders, hit 7th, left 8 lengths down, in second 14th, ridden after 3 out, no impression, eased flat, 2nd of 3, 18l behind Follow The Flow at Warwick 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Dangerousdanmagru (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, mistake 1st, lost place 4th, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 20l behind Figaro du Rocher at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
