in touch, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra
held up towards rear, virtually fell 5th, not recover and immediately pulled up
in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
in touch, hit 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, gradually faded
tracked leaders, ridden out of 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance after 2 out, kept on, no extra flat
led until 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon dropped to rear, never a danger after
held up towards rear, headway on outer after 3 out, stayed on well under pressure to lead last all out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden stayed on strongly flat, went 2nd close home
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden stayed on flat, nearest finish
prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, soon ridden stayed on from last
in touch until weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Royals Darling is fancied to reverse recent form with Verasi, while Taranis and French raider Kasbah Bliss are also shortlisted in what looks a real minefield for the betting public to sift through; each-way support for Whispered Secret and Material World would do nothing but help to cloud the picture even further. Material World is a really tough mare that does not know how to run a bad race (her attitude being all more commendable considering that she only has one eye). She comfortably held Refinement when they met at Cheltenham recently and she is expected to run a big race in spite of going up 8lb for her Prestbury Park success. Whispered Secret has been given a chance by the handicapper and reverts to hurdles on a winning mark. David Pipe has picked up where his father left off in these valuable contests and this fellow is one to seriously monitor in the betting. Kasbah Bliss has a consistent profile and should cope with the ground. However, he does face a stiff test on these terms and needs everything to go his way. As does Taranis, who has to be a live danger when his chase rating is taken into consideration. The trip is ideal for Paul Nicholls' charge and he may represent good value as a saver option in such a competitive heat. Verasi was just in front of the selection when they met at Kempton in the Lanzarote Hurdle three weeks ago and he should make a bold bid to uphold the form. However, even though he goes well at Sandown, the hill seems to find him out at this trip. Therefore, we take a chance that the terms of the race suit Royals Darling a touch better and this lightly raced gelding is fancied to prove the Nicky Henderson team with another large slice of weekend cheer.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) (10-6) Held up, headway 3 out, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Or Noir De Somoza (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (A) hvy in Nov.
Refinement (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, staying on and disputing 2nd when blundered last, not recover, 3rd of 6, 20l behind United (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Lord Sam (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, ridden 2 out, hard ridden flat, ran on well to lead close home, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Lyes Green (9-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Oscar Park (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) In touch when fell at the 3rd in race won by United (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Royals Darling (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, mid-division, headway 7th, effort 3 out, chased winner approaching last, every chance flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Raced wide, held up, headway into mid-division 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, 5th and no chance when mistake last, 5th of 17, 15l behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Verasi 20-1 (10-4) In touch, pushed along 4 out, headway after next, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan beating Royals Darling (11-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Holland Park (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Raced wide, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Nov '05, 17 ran.
Nathos (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway and in touch after 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 17, 44l behind Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Arrayou (FR) 18-1 (11-12) In touch, badly hampered 3rd, reminders 9th, hit 12th and 16th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, well behind Jaunty Times (11-8) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec.
Taranis (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, ridden into 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Exotic Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Whispered Secret (GER) 8-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, hit 7th, headway 9th, chased leader last, led on long run soon after, idled and hard driven flat, all out near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan beating New Alco (11-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Lyes Green 7-1 (9-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, hard ridden flat, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Lord Sam (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Golden Bay 10-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Maharbal (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Mikado 11-2 (10-5) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Lord Sam (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Accordello (IRE) 3-1 (10-1) Chased leaders in 4th until not fluent and dropped to last 3 out, rallied from 2 out, chased leading pair last, kept on strongly flat, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Refinement (11-12) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Material World 9-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, challenged approaching last, switched left and led run-in, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Freetown (10-0) by a nk, 16 ran.
Romany Prince 40-1 (11-7) Raced wide, led 2nd, headed when mistake 2 out, driven and 1 length down last, led, sprawled soon after, driven and kept on gamely, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan beating Princelet (11-6) by a nk, 7 ran.
