in touch, headway 5f out, led on bit 2f out, easy
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden when headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind final 4f
held up and keen, headway to track leaders halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led and keen, ridden and headed when weakened quickly 4f out, virtually pulled up over 1f out, unseated rider close home
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway 5f out, hard ridden and kept on
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 2f out
The betting market will be the best indicator here; with Choumakeur heading the list, while Ouragan Larange and Musical Chairs are others to bear in mind in a race that is very much one to file for future reference. Musical Chairs is from the same family as top-class chaser Dramatist and has to be respected. His yard have been relatively quiet of late but he can only gain in experience. And Henrietta Knight can place him to good effect in due course. Ouragan Larange is bred to be a chaser, so anything he achieves along the way will be a bonus. His debut was stacked full of promise and it would not come as a surprise to see him built on that effort. Former pointer Turbulence hails from a yard that do well in this sphere, so he is one to seriously consider if supported before the off. However, we take a chance that Choumakeur, who is out of a half-sister to Garde Champetre, knows what is required of him at the first time of asking and the French-bred gelding can round off the meeting on a high for Tony McCoy and David Pipe.
Choumakeur (FR) Mansonnien gelding out of a winner in the French Provinces.
Just Standeese (IRE) Shahrastani gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers Bang In Trouble & Corlande and winning chaser New Era.
Quintessentially (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Toga Party (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 4f out, 12th of 18, well behind West End King (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Madam Cliche 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hung right and went wide on bend after 2f, soon tailed off and pulled up in race won by Arctic Magic (10-13) at Chepstow 2m mrs nhf (6) sft, 15 ran.
Queen of The Bees (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division and keen, effort 5f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Byways Boy Groom Dancer gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Thomas Hardy 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 12th of 13, well behind Zahra's Place (10-2) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Upham Atom Silver Patriarch gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Upham Surprise.
Miss Fleur Bandmaster filly out of a moderate racemare.
Crown Gamble 66-1 (11-2) Always rear division, 12th of 15, 49l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Musical Chairs (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Close up, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 8th of 10, 40l behind Crashtown Hall (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 25-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 4f out, ran on to go 2nd 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Kid Charlemagne (11-0) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Turbulance (IRE) (11-7) 3rd of 9, 1l behind War Of The World (11-7) at Lemonfield 3m ire ptp gs in Mar.
