prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
pulled early and chased leaders, weakening when hampered on bend after 3 out
in touch, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, kept on from last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, reminder 3rd, ridden 3 out, one pace
in touch, chased leader after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden and headed near finish
mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on from 2 out
towards rear, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear, behind from 3 out
led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching next
prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, ran on from last, led near finish
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
behind, ridden and weakened 3 out
PICOT DE SAY is preferred to I'm A Legend and Tenor De Balme. The selection only made it to the racetrack once last season but he ran a blinder to finish a close third over this course and distance. He returns to action on a 4lb lower mark and has the added bonus of the talented Jack Doyle's claim further reducing his burden. He's gone a while without winning but has the raw ability to win a race of this nature. I'm A Legend proved to be a consistent performer for his rookie trainer last season and is better than he showed on his final start. He sported cheekpieces for his sole success and they are back on for only the second time in his career this afternoon. He's run well at the track and is one of the likelier players. The dark horse in the race is Tenor De Balme who has been running over fences in France. His yard has saddled winners here in the past and he has a leading jockey in the saddle so he should be monitored in the market. It's hard to know what he's capable of though and preference is for Picot De Say.
Tenor De Balme (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 9, 3l behind Dumorazy (10-3) at Durtal 2m 5f crs cty chs gs in Mar.
Archie Gunn 10-11fav (10-11) Keen tracking leaders, not fluent 1st, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Herons well (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Russian Flag (FR) 5-1jt-fav (11-10) Raced keenly, held up mid-division when brought down 4 out in race won by Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept, 16 ran.
Compton Star 25-1 (11-2) In touch, driven, struggling from 10th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 35l behind Forager (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Apr.
Allez Frank (GER) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Another Storm (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Young Tot (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leader after 1st, blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Urban Tiger (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
I'm A Legend 11-10fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 4th, ridden in 4th approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 18, 23l behind Double The Trouble (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f amt hcp hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Five A Side 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, lost place after 4th, headway 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 23l behind Kirkhammerton (11-0) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Mibleu (FR) 16-1 (10-11) In rear, effort 4 out, weakening when blundering 2 out, 6th of 9, 30l behind Green Gamble (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Pauntley Gofa 25-1 (9-10) Always behind, never a factor, 5th of 6, well behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Golden Square 4-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed after 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, 32l behind Fair Shake (10-8) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Aug.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened after 9th, mistake 4 out, 3rd of 9, well behind Strong Weld (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in May.
Picot de Say 11-1 (10-10) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, led briefly last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Rajam (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Inn For The Dancer 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened next, 5th of 9, 28l behind A Sea Commander (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Aleemdar (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 7l behind Brigadore (11-2) at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sept.
Phoenix Eye 16-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Nazdaq (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
