chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th run-in
raced keenly, chased leaders until hit 4th and next and lost place, rallied bypassing omitted 5 out, went modest 3rd 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to challenge 100 yards out, not go through with effort
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced bypassing omitted 4 out, no chance after
hit 1st, always behind, no chance when mistake 3 out
in rear most of way
always towards rear, never on terms
raced keenly towards rear, bit closer in mid-division bypassing omitted 11th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, never dangerous after
chased leaders on outside, weakened before 3 out
jumped slowly 1st, chased leader, led narrowly 4th until before 3 out, lost 2 places next, weakened into 5th run-in
led until narrowly headed 4th, in front again going well before 4 out, almost joined 100 yards out, rallied and in command towards finish
Kauto The King seems to have taken well to fences and will be fancied to get back to winning ways. Romanor has bags of experience but a poor strike-rate. Philip Hobbs runs two in this but Sandy Boy looked a tricky ride over hurdles and Ebony Gale was never travelling at Warwick last time. HEY BUD was also below par last time at Wincanton but was a fair third off 5lb higher at Stratford earlier and is well treated on his hurdles form. Forgetthesmalltalk has never won under Rules but has won a point, as has Normandy Soldier.
Normandy Soldier 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 15, 22 3/4l behind St Barts (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Kauto The King (FR) 7-4fav (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway before 8th, outpaced 2 out, rallied last, every chance flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Oscar Robertson (11-6) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Sandy Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Towards rear, kept on before the last, went modest 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 5l behind Big Penny (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Forgetthesmalltalk (IRE) 10-3fav (11-8) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 10, dist behind Roccowithlove (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Hey Bud 9-2 (11-5) Raced out wide chasing leaders, hit 5th and next, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and weakened well before next, 7th of 10, 28 1/2l behind Not A Role Model (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Romanor 12-1 (11-2) In rear, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Enzo D'Airy (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
God Knows Why (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling from 5th, well behind 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind When You're Ready (10-12) at Stratford 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Ebony Gale 10-3 (11-12) Held up in last pair, reminders after 1th, behind when awkward 13th, tailed off, 8th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Defuture Is Bright (10-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Faint Hope 50-1 (11-1) In rear, headway before 9th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 18 1/4l behind Oscar Robertson (11-6) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Troed Y Melin (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 12th until mistake 5 out, no extra from 4 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Cyclop (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Favori De Sivola (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, plugged on in mid-division from 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, dist behind Seaside Girl (11-6) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
