led, increased pace from 13th, pushed along after 3 out, 1 length ahead when pecked last, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, tracked leader going well 3 out, mistake 2 out, challenged on inside last, pushed along and quickened to lead final 100 yards, cleverly
held up last, mistake 4th, blundered and unseated rider 10th
chased leader, pecked 14th, weakened into 3rd when blundered 3 out, weakened
tracked leading trio,outpaced 13th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
With Mobaasher not entirely trustworthy we will side with GILES CROSS to find the three pounds that he will need to win this, while Minella Boys will be ready to take advantage if the leading duo are off their games. The selection received 6lbs from Mobaasher and beat him a length at Chepstow on heavy ground last month, where he jumped well. He also acts on good to soft, and despite a fall two starts ago he generally jumps very well, and he is a real game battler who we think is capable of confirming the placings on 3lbs worse terms. Mobaasher has never looked the easiest of rides and has often disappointed when favoured at the weights, so he is not particularly difficult to oppose. Minella Boys was thrashed from today's mark in a handicap hurdle last time out and now reverts to chasing. His sole previous attempt was earlier in the season at Wetherby when he looked all over the winner until tipping up, but with confidence now restored and the ground to suit he could get heavily involved. Huntingdon winner Celian looks best of the remainder, though he has plenty to find on official figures and the vote goes to Giles Cross.
Giles Cross (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Made all, driven 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, held on towards finish, won at Chepstow 3m nov stks (3) hvy in Jan beating Mobaasher (11-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
Mobaasher (USA) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and went clear 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Giles Cross (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nov stks (3) hvy in Jan.
Another Classic 80-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, ridden and struggling after 11th, pulled up 15th, in a race won by Its A Dream (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Dec '08, 8 ran.
Minella Boys (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led after 3 out until headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 44l behind Tarateeno (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 4-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-3) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Celian (FR) 15-2 (11-6) With leader, hit and lost place 11th, behind when hampered 15th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Roseneath (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
