tracked leaders, driven before 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
raced in rear, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
led, headed 4 out, rallied when mistake 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat
held up in rear, blundered 4th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, kept on same pace approaching last
raced in rear, slow 7th, never a factor
always prominent, hit 1st, led 4 out, strongly challenged from 2 out, not fluent when headed last, no extra closing stages
HIGH OSCAR is just 3lb higher than a win at Fontwell most recently and this looks an ideal opportunity to follow up on that success. The trip and conditions should suit and he has won off higher marks than this over course and distance. Maximix looks realistically weighted but may prefer more cut in the ground. Glengarra hasn't won for more than a year, but is now 7lb below his last winning mark and has to be considered. He is likely to race prominently, as is Massini Sunset, but The Hardy Boy is the front-runner that catches the eye as a big danger. He won in January here over this trip and has a great record at the course, but High Oscar gets the call.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 8-11fav (10-10) Made most, pushed along 2 out, headed last, no extra under pressure, last of 2, 7l behind Jimbatai (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Apr.
Maximix 25-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hit 9th, poor 6th when hit last, tailed off, 6th of 11, 44l behind Mustangsallyrally (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Glengarra (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Led, dived at 6th, headed 3 out, no impression last, 2nd of 7, 18l behind The Darling Boy (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
High Oscar 11-4 (10-13) Patiently ridden in rear, hit 2nd, headway to 3rd after 4 out, switched right before last, quickened to lead flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Take A Mile (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Royial (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Towards rear, hit 6th, headway to chase leaders in 3rd when fell 10th, in a race won by Chord (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
The Hardy Boy 10-11fav (11-9) Led, clear 2nd, reduced lead 4th, narrowly headed before 4 out, ridden soon after, no chance with winner from next, tailed off, 2nd of 3, 35l behind Kappelhoff (10-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Apr.
