held up towards rear, headway after 6th, every chance when blundered 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ran on well from last, pushed out
towards rear, lost touch after 6th, tailed off
prominent, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, fell last
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, not pace of leaders, beaten when stumbled 2 out, mistake last
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
led until 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to regain 3rd last
in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner from last
Group Captain is nominated ahead of Colisay and Flashy Conquest. Rated in three figures on the flat when with Roger Charlton, Group Captain was capable of demonstrating his form with cut in the ground and having posted a fair time figure on hurdling debut, he looks the obvious benchmark upon which to base one's calculation. He will be difficult to beat if putting in a clear round. Colisay doesn't always find much for pressure in a finish. He took a Uttoxeter affair in good style but needs to improve to win this. Flashy Conquest has been punted on previous forays so it would be no surprise to see him run a big race this afternoon. I Predict A Riot raised a surpising 60000 guineas at the sales. This is a chance to recoup some of the steep purchase price. The jockey bookings suggest that he is preferred to The Boat. Mon Chevalier was quietly supported last time out although the form figures suggest that he has plenty to prove at this level. Group Captain is the pick to steer the favourite backers home.
Colisay 5-4fav (11-4) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 14, 9l behind Mexican Bob (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Group Captain 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led final 40 yards, driven out, won at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Stripe Me Blue (10-9) by a hd, 18 ran.
Flashy Conquest 33-1 (11-0) Mainly towards rear, 13th of 18, well behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lord Lieutenant (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 7th, last of 11, well behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Mon Chevalier (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, close 4th and ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 18, 11l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Petito (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, well behind I Have Dreamed (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Pippling 100-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
The Boat (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Keen hold in mid-division, soon in touch, weakened after 7th, 13th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
The Langer (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) With leader, led 2nd until 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 8, 45l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
I Predict A Riot (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 15, 10l behind Perfect Reward (9-1) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
