held up in rear, steady headway 8th, left close 3rd 10th, chased winner 2 out, no impression last
chased clear leading pair, closed up 6th, went 2nd after 8th, about 1 length and travelling well when fell heavily 10th
prominent in chasing group, closed up 6th, chased leaders in 4th on long run to 2 out, kept on one pace
led and clear of rest with one rival, reduced lead 6th, headed on long run to 2 out, weakened before last
chased leader and clear of rest, lost 2nd after 8th, weakened 12th (3 out)
held up off the pace, struggling 12th (3 out)
prominent in chasing group, blundered 4th, in rear when badly hampered 10th, blundered and unseated rider next
in rear, mistake and reminder 9th, poor 6th when fell last
held up and well off the strong pace, blundered 7th closed up after next, hit 9th, left 2nd 10th, not fluent 12th (3 out) led on long run to 2 out, in command before last, readily
It's reasonable to expect big runs from Nobody Tells Me and Imperial Sun given that they finished first and second in this race last year but preference is for WHIZZAAR. The selection landed a Hunter Chase at Ascot last year before failing to cope with a drop back in trip in a well-contested race at Stratford but he still emerged with some credit from finishing sixth. He has to give weight away to all of his rivals but could go close if returning to action in the same form. Nobody Tells Me and Imperial Sun are closely matched on last season's running but both will need to raise their game having been comfortably held in recent runs between the flags. In contrast, Sericina was impressive when beating Joacci at Buckfastleigh so has to be feared while Mioche D'Estruval merits respect on a line through Overlut whom he comfortably accounted for at Wadebridge last May. A market check is advised but the pick is Whizzaar.
Whizzaar 10-11 (12-7) Led til hdd aft 3 out; led last; all out, won at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in May beating Tonic Du Charmil (12-4) by hd, 8 ran.
Nobody Tells Me (FR) 20-1 (12-0) Led 3-14; sn wknd, 10th of 17, 43l behind Coombe Hill (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd.
Who Else Knew (IRE) 7-4 (12-7) Led 13 til hdd app 2 out; one pce, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Gold Heart (12-0) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd.
Apollo Blaze (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led to 9 & 10 til hdd 4 out; one pce 2 out, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Zabenz (11-0) at Black Forest Lodge 3m ptp.
Beau Supreme (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leader until after 3rd, remained handy, ridden after 13th, hanging right and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind He's The Gaffer (11-0) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jul '08.
Imperial Sun (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Trckd ldrs til wknd 3 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Thisthatandtother (12-7) at Milborne St Andrew 3m ptp.
Mioche d'Estruval (FR) 10-11 (12-0) Made all; drew clr flat, won at Wadebridge 3m ptp in Mar beating Overlut (12-7) by 6l, 3 ran.
Paddy The Piper (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to, 8th of 10, 35l behind Sericina (11-7) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft.
Sericina (FR) 4-9 (11-7) Held up; prog 12; led 2 out; impressive, won at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp sft beating Joaaci (12-0) by 12l, 10 ran.
