prominent, ridden and outpaced after 7th, rallied and ran on well from last, nearest finish
held up in mid-division, ridden with some headway 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, reminder 3rd, ridden and behind from 5th
held up mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden and led approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, no extra
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
led, mistake 7th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up behind, reminders after 2nd, ridden approaching 7th, headway approaching 2 out, ran on flat
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, one pace
chased leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out
virtually refused to race, always in rear, no impression
prominent, ridden 3 out, ran on well from 2 out, went 2nd close home
mid-division, ridden 7th, soon behind
Silver Charter might be worth chancing in a low-key contest, with Royal Prodigy, Mllkom Elegance and Jesper just three more in with a shout. Bets are best kept to a minimum here, but a chance is taken that Silver Charter can improve on his second to Arctic Glow here just after Christmas. That was his first run for Evan Williams, and he was giving two stone to the winner, so hopes are high that he can make the most of the fact that he is dropped in trip and grade after a down-the-field effort at Huntingdon last time. He has the blinkers on again and should give an improved performance. Royal Prodigy failed to justify support when partnered by Richard Johnson in similar company here last time and looks a hard ride, while Mllkom Elegance lines up on the back of a recent win on the all-weather, but was a poor third over hurdles here in December. However, they seem to have sorted her back problems out and Gerald Ham's mare may go close. Richard Philips sent out Bakiri to land this 12 months ago so Jesper should be kept on the right side, and of course we cannot finish without pointing out that Paul Nicholls and Martin Pipe have runners. Neither of their respective charges, Blue Brook and Philippa Yeates look good enough but should be strongly noted in the market. For the winner, a tentative vote goes to Silver Charter, whose dam is a half-sister to the dam of Istabraq-there the resemblance ends!
Royal Prodigy (USA) 9-4fav Mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden 6th, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest at finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Pequenita at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gs in Feb.
Jaybeedee 200-1 Always behind, last of 6, well behind My Will at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Millkom Elegance 25-1 Mid-division, ridden 6th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Brochrua at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Lismeenan (IRE) 28-1 Held up, reminded 9th, some headway under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 20l behind Gray's Eulogy at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Philippa Yeates (IRE) 12-1 Never in contention, 9th of 17, 24l behind Kathies Pet at Chepstow 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gs in Feb.
Compton Star 6-1 Prominent, hit 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 40l behind Blue Leader at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Jan.
Silent Guest (IRE) 10-1 Prominent, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 30l behind Arctic Glow at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Dec.
Black Swan (IRE) 66-1 Prominent, chased winner 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Pequenita at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gs in Feb.
