chased leading pair until 3 out, soon weakened
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, mistake last
led, 5 and a half lengths clear last, soon ridden and idled, caught close home
behind from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until after 5th, soon behind
mid-division until 6th, tailed off
mid-division until after 5th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 3rd 3 out, went 6 lengths 2nd 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, led close home
chased leaders until 6th, soon behind
mid-division, not fluent 1st, weakened 6th
always towards rear
held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, went moderate 4th next, never troubled leaders
I'm So Lucky, Beau Nash, Et Maintenant, and Will The Till make up the shortlist here, with the vote going to I'm So Lucky. The selection has looked a winner waiting to happen and in this less competitive race, he can get his head in front. He finished five lengths ahead of Nicky Henderson's Et Maintenant on his last run and should be able to confirm placings once again. Et Maintenant should have come on for his British debut in that race, however whether he will be able to make up five lengths is another matter. The stable is in form though so he rates a live threat. Beau Nash was a fair third on his debut, and this 87-rated flat-performer can go well today. He handled soft ground on the flat and will need to go well today if he is to take up his Triumph Hurdle engagement. Will The Till was only moderate on the flat but showed some promise on his second hurdles outing last month. He can improve again, but doubts about stamina mean he is passed over, as we return to I'm So Lucky as our idea of the winner.
Be Positive 100-1 (11-1) Took keen tracking leaders, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 33l behind Lead On (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Classic Role 200-1 (11-12) In touch, pulled hard early, 4th 4 out, weakened after next, eased from 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Iktitaf (11-11) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Et Maintenant (FR) 9-1 (11-4) In touch, led after 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 18, 7l behind Buster Hyvonen (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
I'm So Lucky 6-4 (11-4) Prominent, led 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Buster Hyvonen (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Listen Son (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until 7f out, 13th of 14, 42l behind Kavatcha (10-8) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Paris Heights 33-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 11th of 15, well behind Fantastic Arts (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Sidney Charles (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, under pressure and lost position over 3f out, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Solarias Quest (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May '05 (Flat).
Will The Till 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on run-in, 4th of 17, 13l behind Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Young Valentino 66-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 20l behind Time To Regret (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Silver Sister 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Saratogane (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Beau Nash (USA) 5-2 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Cantabilly (10-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Corum (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division early, mistakes and soon in rear, 11th of 17, 38l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Sabre Hongrois (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approach 4f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 18l behind Pebrock (10-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (5) sft in Jan.
Triple Bluff 80-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened after last, 9th of 11, 35l behind Malakiya (10-7) at Stratford 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
