held up, headway after 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, clear after last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, gradually weakened
tracked leaders, close up when clipped heels and fell on bend after 3 out
held up in touch, ridden to lead briefly after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, mistake last and weakened rapidly flat
led, headed after 3 out and weakened
held up, weakened quickely 7th, pulled up soon after 3 out
in rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when hampered on bend after 3 out
held up rear, headway 4 out, ridden in mid-division when brought down on bend after 3 out
The three to look out for in the opener are Don Fernando, Little Rort and In His Dreams with the vote going to the last named. The selection was not totally discredited at Ascot last time out when finishing fourth behind The Kings Of Angels. The ground at Taunton will be on the easier side so with the ground and trip to suit he is worth staying on the right side of in such a poor contest. Little Rort is the winner of four races to date but had been out of sorts until finishing an eye catching second to Win A Rose at Ludlow last time out. With that in mind he has to be on the short list and is to be noted in the market. Don Fernando is only seven but seems to have been on the scene for an eternity. He comes from a yard doing well at present and if back to his best would prove difficult to beat. Having said that he is unpredictable these days so is to be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to In His Dreams.
Critical Stage (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Templer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Little Rort (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, headed left, not quicken flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Win A Rose (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Don Fernando 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out to chase leaders, held when mistake last, 5th of 10, 7l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
In His Dreams 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place 5th, effort 8th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 18l behind The King of Angels (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Kyathos (GER) 22-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, ridden next, behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Oniz Tiptoes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Couldbetheone (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, progress into 4th after 3 out, moderate 5th and no impression under pressure from before straight, kept on same pace, 8th of 18, 31l behind Glengali (11-9) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 sft in Nov.
My Michelle 150-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ouninpohja (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Rashida 20-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway after 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Executive Paddy (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Reelinga 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, saddle slipped before 4th, eased and pulled up 5 out in race won by Tambourine Davis (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
