close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, mistake 3 out, ridden and headway next, kept on same pace
raced wide held up, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last
led, slow 4th, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon weakened, hampered last
in touch, some headway after 3 out, weakened next, blundered and fell last
in rear when hampered bend after winning post, never a factor, hampered last
towards rear, ridden and hit 2 out, never on terms
towards rear, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led well before 2 out, ridden last, headed and bumped flat
towards rear when slipped up bend after winning post
tracked leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead when hung right flat, ran on
The three-year-old Phoenix Dawn was a wide-margin winner at Ludlow last time but this easier surface and stiffer track will put his stamina under pressure. Bazooka is an interesting runner given he was in good form on the Flat in the autumn and his last run over hurdles came in a Grade 2. ITS A STING reverts to hurdles on a potentially-lenient mark having not enjoyed much luck over fences lately. He is preferred to Le Capricieux and My Boy James, who might just need this. Windspiel and Present Destiny may be best of the rest.
Bazooka (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Slowly away, behind, headway in centre 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Road To Dubai (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
My Boy James (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened last, 5th of 15, 6 3/4l behind Zulu Oscar (12-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Present Destiny (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, steady headway after 3 out, pushed along and never no impression in 5th before 2 out, left modest 4th and hampered last, 4th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Shoal Bay (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Cheer's Delboy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, left closer 4th, every chance after 3 out, 3rd and held 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Harefield (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Rainy Day Dylan (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Jumped right, led, clear 2nd until before 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Its A Sting (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped left 1st, headway 8th, going quite well and pressing for 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Pivotal Flame (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, mistake 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 16th of 19, dist behind Magic Dancer (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Windshear 125-1 (11-0) In rear, struggling after 5th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, at Haydock 2m lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Le Capricieux (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Herons Heir (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Phoenix Dawn 9-4 (10-12) Led until 2nd, led after 4 out, clear 3 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Marettimo (10-12) by 18l, 8 ran.
Windspiel (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching next where not fluent, weakened, last of 3, 7 1/4l behind Mr Whipped (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 22 3/4l behind The Last Day (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
