held up towards rear, ridden, headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace
prominent, headway after 3 out, ridden, led approaching 2 out, hit last, ran on
held up last, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, no impression
jumped right 1st, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, mid division, hit 3rd, ridden, headway 3 out, 4th approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent, blundered 3 out, ridden, one pace after
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
pulled early, prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, lost place 5th, staying on same pace when fell 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off 5th, behind
The three for the shortlist are Le Corvee, Pace Shot and Twist Magic, with the vote going to Twist Magic. Twist Magic was sent off at 11/10 in a fair novice event at Wetherby last time but finished only sixth. However, we feel that you can forgive him that as the going was a bit tacky that day and he is better judged on his Auteuil win the time before. Le Corvee has done well in two starts, winning at Towcester and finishing fourth to the useful Fair Along at Cheltenham, so he is afforded plenty of respect. Pace Shot followed his Aintree win with a Huntingdon third, but his saddle slipped there and he can be rated higher. Three-time Flat winner Blue Bajan and the nicely-bred French Flat winner Brave Hiawatha are two of the more interesting newcomers, Dusty Dane has shown some ability, while Goodwood two-mile Flat winner, Sir Monty showed some promise on his hurdling debut and gets a fair mention. However, we will take a chance on Twist Magic.
Pace Shot (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Pulled hard, saddle slipped soon after start, close up, led after 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Kalmini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov.
Twist Magic (FR) 11-10fav (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 4 out, 5th and held when blundered next, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 34l behind Aviation (11-2) at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (A) sft in Oct.
Bay Hawk 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, steadied rear, mistake 4th, struggling next, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Turko (11-4) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gd in Nov.
Before Time 40-1 (10-9) In rear when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Pace Shot (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up behind mid-division, good headway from 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct beating Burgundy (9-5) by 2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Dusty Dane (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway under pressure after 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 19l behind Sasso (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Fu Manchu 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ivana Illyich (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Inn For The Dancer 22-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Stevedore (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
Josear 11-2 (10-4) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace from last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Albarino (11-9) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Numidas (POL) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened and eased, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Tritonville Lodge (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Theflyingscottie 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on, 4th of 12, 29l behind Le Corvee (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Femme D'avril (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Soon disputing 2nd, ridden, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 32l behind Sasso (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Methodical 66-1 (9-13) Behind, some headway 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 15, 31l behind Purple Patch (11-5) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Silver Dreamer (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 18l behind Tycheros (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Oct (Flat).
Le Corvee (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 13, 15l behind Fair Along (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Brave Hiawatha (FR) (8-6) In touch until weakened 2f out behind Singapore Pearl (8-7) at Longchamp 1m 2f hcp in Oct, 18 ran (Flat).
Sir Monty (USA) 2-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 28l behind Flaming Weapon (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Oct.
