towards rear, ridden and headway after 5th, weakened before 2 out
prominent, led 2nd, made rest, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, gradually faded
led until 2nd, chased leaders until 4th, soon struggling
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, hit 2nd, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
prominent until pulled up after 2nd
mid-division, making headway when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, pulled up after next
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
In this valuable race, Ma Yahab is favoured over Kings Signal and Pilca. Papini stuck to his task well when scoring at Haydock last time and, even though he has been raised eight pounds for that, he can still go well. Despite having been raised seven pounds for his defeat by Princelet at Kempton, Orcadian met a well-weighted rival there and can go well today. Kings Signal looked as though he was coming to win that race that day and a seven-pounds rise does not necessarily rule him out of things. A return to last spring's form would give Lunar Crystal claims, while Tous Chez did the job well at Market Rasen last time and, given that he will relish the conditions, cannot be ruled out either. However, Ma Yahab is weighted to get the better of him based on that race and, given that he was returning from a long absence that day, might prove to be the one to side with today. Pilca continues to run well and is only a pound higher than for his good Ascot fourth behind Acambo but, once again, for the selection, we will stick with Ma Yahab.
Premier Dane (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division to rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, 16th of 20, 39l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Papini (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Made all, ridden after 3 out, under pressure last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Crathorne (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Orcadian 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, effort on inside and every chance from 2 out, upsides last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Princelet (10-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Lunar Crystal (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden after 12th, no chance when left 3rd 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, well behind Whereareyounow (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Heathcote 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, hit 6th and 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 30l behind Lord Of Beauty (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Kings Signal (USA) 10-1 (10-11) Keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, tracked leading pair 2 out, driven upsides and pressing winner when fell at the last in race won by Princelet (10-10) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Tous Chez (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, led run-in, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Dec beating Ma Yahab (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mr Dinglawi (IRE) 100-1 (10-6) Led until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 17l behind Take A Mile (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Nyborg Madrik (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Mistake and fell in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Ma Yahab 9-2 (10-0) Held up, headway 2 out, soon challenging, led approaching last, not fluent, headed soon after, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Tous Chez (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Pilca (FR) 14-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders and one pace, 4th of 20, 7l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
Misbehaviour 9-1 (11-7) In touch, took closer order 5th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, held when hit last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Hereditary (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
