tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner next, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra flat
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, staying on when hampered 2nd last, never able to challenge
mid-division, mistake 1st, weakened halfway, soon behind, pulled up before 2out
prominent, jumped right 1st, slow 4th, soon lost place, under pressure halfway, behind when pulled up 2out
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, hard ridden and under pressure when fell 2 out
held up in rear, slow 5th, headway 4 out, weakened next
tracked leader, led 7th, hard ridden 2 out, stayed on well
behind, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, behind when pulled up before 2out
led, headed 7th, remained prominent, lost place after 3 out
held up in rear, hampered 2nd, mistake 5th, behind when pulled up before 2out
PROUD PRESENCE just about sets the standard and receives weight from the likely threats so gets the vote to beat the penalised pair Ravenclaw and Dawn Choir. Nicky Henderson's gelding ran well behind a higher rated stablemate last time in a race that has worked out well. He's also shown that this trip and today's ground hold no fears, so providing he runs somewhere close to his rating of 122 this son of Presenting should score with a bit to spare. Ravenclaw won nicely last time out on his first run for the yard, immediately regaining some of the £30,000 connections invested in him. That effort came over further on absolutely bottomless ground however, so with conditions quite different today we feel he may get done for pace by our selection. Dawn Choir is rated as Ravenclaw's equal and must have some sort of chance despite also being burdened with a penalty. He's shown himself to be versatile ground-wise but there has to be a concern that he ran poorly last time, so he's got a cloud hanging over him and may have to settle for third. Sophies Trophy has shown consistent form without looking like winning and a similar scenario looks likely, whilst the bumper won by Tiger Bay looked weak and he needs to improve for this switch to timber. At a price Twin Bud may improve for this slightly better surface but it's still difficult to see the mare getting close to the principles, of whom Proud Presence looks the best.
Dawn Choir (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, bumped 5th, headway to 2nd before 9th where not fluent, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 21l behind Aldertune (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ravenclaw (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, stayed on well (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Alteranthela (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Backfromthebrink (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up going to 3 out, 9th of 14, 43l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Carroll Grey (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, soon towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Dreamy Gent (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chase gf in Jun '08.
Island News 66-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 46l behind Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Proud Presence (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 3 out, one pace 2 out, 4th of 12, 9l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Quickdraw 66-1 (11-3) Held up, soon tracking leaders, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 11, 36l behind Stoney's Treasure (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked leader to 4 out, 3rd when hit next, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 20l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Tiger Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3f out, switched right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led final 110 yards, won at Lingfield 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (6) std in Feb beating Treacle Tart (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Uncle Ant (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, behind 6th, 9th of 11, well behind Born Again (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
Twin Bud 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Annimation (10-9) at Folkestone 2m 1f N H flat (6) sft in Jan.
