tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure flat
always in rear, driven and lost touch 6th, tailedoff and pulled up before 2 out
held up in 5th, weakened after next, no chance when mistake 4 out
held up in 6th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last but no danger
led, hit 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, still disputing 2nd 2 out, chased winner and switched right approaching last, no impression
held up in 4th, disputing 2nd 2 out, weakened before last
chased leader to 5th, weakened and well behind from 4 out, tailed off
Christian Von Der Recke and Tony McCoy have enjoyed a brilliant strike rate together this season, and that can continue with Saitensohn in this race. This combination have won twice before, both wins coming at Newbury in November. The step up to two miles six furlongs should suit this five-year-old and soft ground would not be a worry. He faces a tough opponent in Supreme Toss, who is unbeaten over hurdles, but stepped up in class to race at Sandown. He is relatively unexposed and his stablemates have been running well. Russian Gigolo has regularly run into the places this season, but is yet to break his duck over hurdles. He carries 8lb less than his classy rivals, which may give him an each-way chance. Harpoon will be best watched, as he returns from an absence of nearly two years. While the others are best left alone given their recent records.