in rear, never going, behind 5th
held up in rear on outside, headway from 6th travelling strongly, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, hard held
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders on inside, slow and lost place 5th, soon weakened
led, hit 5th, not fluent 3 out, pressed next, headed before last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened after 2 out
with leader, ridden before 3 out, weakened after next
Solo Saxophone has been most disappointing so far this season and Harry Skelton prefers stable companion ANTUNES. A bad mistake put paid to his chances at Cheltenham on his reappearance but he showed definite promise last season and the softer going is in his favour. Despite finishing second at Wetherby last month, the three-year-old Alliteration has been well beaten in all runs to date on the Flat and over hurdles but Georgian Firebird was still travelling kindly when coming to grief last time at Carlisle and has the past form to figure.
Solo Saxophone (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) In rear, not fluent and reminders 2nd and 5th, behind 7th, 8th of 14, dist behind Unblinking (10-6) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Antunes 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, blundered 4th, ridden after 2 out, never a threat, 14th of 20, 16 3/4l behind Red Hot Chilly (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Freedom Chimes 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 4th, headed after 3 out, no extra next, 6th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Sofia's Rock (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Secret Melody 150-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, slow 4th, lost place soon after, well beaten after 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Thomas Darby (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Deep Resolve (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon well beaten, 8th of 9, at Hereford 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Alliteration 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, chased winner when hit 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Fabianski (10-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Georgian Firebird 28-1 (10-5) With leader when fell 4 out, at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.