led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, not quicken
prominent, chased leaders 3 out, headway on bit and led 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven out flat
held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, soon behind
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, tired when blundered last
held up in touch, headway and chased leader after 3 out, challenged and hit 2 out, ran on but no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, reminders 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, ran on flat, nearest finish
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, ran on same pace
mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
virtually refused to race, saddled slipped and pulled up after 2nd
The shortlist picks itself here, with Cerium shading the vote over McBain. The pair mentioned are useful novices, with Cerium looking very good when scoring at Kempton and Cheltenham, and then had valid excuses following a runny nose when beaten at Chepstow last time. His round action would suggest he prefers going with give in it so, provided there is no reported jar in the going, he can go well in his bid to get back to winning ways. McBain has proven himself tough as well as talented and stepped into handicap company last time and found all bar the useful Crossbow Creek too good for him at Kempton. That was a very good effort and he too commands plenty of respect. German winner Darrias is one to watch for in the betting on his British debut for Paul Nicholls, while Rood Boy holds Simonovskii on January course and distance winning form, and holds place claims. Massimo won his bumper and then was fifth in a better one, so he too should be watched with interest and Malaga Boy is among one or two others that have suggested ability but, that said, for today, as we say, the shortlist picks itself, with the vote just going to Cerium.
McBain (USA) 10-3 Held up in rear, challenged before 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Dash For Cover (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 6th, blundered 2 out, 6th of 14, 40l behind Noble Request at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
Domart (POL) 66-1 Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 14, 41l behind Noble Request at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd.
Fandani (GER) 8th of 9, 12l behind Quetena at Munich 1m 2f lst stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Gigondas (IRE) 33-1 Held up, mistake 2nd, ridden after 6th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Abzuson at Towcester 3m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Massimo (FR) 11-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 20, 23l behind Netherley at Warwick 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
The Kirk (NZ) 66-1 Keen, mid-division, headway 4th, joined winner 6th, ridden after next, weakening when mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Darkness at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft, 11 ran.
Rood Boy (IRE) 7-1 Soon led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 25l behind Medison at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Darrias (GER) 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Lourival at Baden-Baden 1m 2f hcp gd in Oct (Flat).
Earl Of Spectrum (GER) 16-1 Took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 4th, struggling after next, tailed off, 7th of 10, 48l behind Etendard Indien at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs.
High Altitude (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Openide at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (A) gd in Jan.
Simonovski (USA) 100-1 Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Akilak at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Princess Ismene 66-1 Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 13, 7l behind La Lambertine at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gd in Nov.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 12-1 Held up towards rear, steady headwy 5f out, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Mister Mustard at Ascot 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb '03.
Peter's Debt 20-1 Pulled hard, led after 2f, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 11, well behind Don And Gerry at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Avesomeofthat (IRE) 25-1 Towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 19l behind Voy Por Ustedes at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
