mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace
prominent, led 6f out, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders for 9f
held up towards rear, headway on outer 7f out, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace
led, soon clear, headed 6f out, hung badly right after, soon behind
mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 5f out, led briefly 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, led 3f out, well clear over 1f out, stayed on well
in touch, ridden and effort 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
always towards rear
in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace after
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
The eye is drawn here to Nocturnally, who gets the vote ahead of Sheriff Roscoe, The Cool Guy and Pearly Star. The selection was bred by Lord Howard de Walden and cost 67,000 guineas as a yearling. Given that he well related - his dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winners Shavian and Paean - he has to be of interest, particularly as his trainer has done well in bumpers over the last couple of years. Unless the market says something different, he could prove the one to be on. Sheriff Roscoe cost 20,000 guineas and is another to hold a likeable, jumps-orientated pedigree, and The Cool Guy is also related to jumping winners and showed plenty of promise when runner-up on his Ludlow debut, so he is afforded plenty of respect. Pearly Star showed enough on his debut to warrant respect also. Of the others, Talikos should improve for his debut run, as might Thenford Star, but He's The Gaffer did not follow up his Ludlow second here last time. Just Percy has a fair jumping pedigree, Magical Kingdom has something to like on breeding, and Flyingwithoutwings hails from an in-form stable and cannot be dismissed from calculations. With the rest having something to prove on what we so far know, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Lunch Was My Idea, we spin back to Nocturnal, who gets the vote in the finale.
Flyingwithoutwings Komaite gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 22-1 In touch until 6f out, soon beaten, 12th of 18, well behind Noland at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs.
Hi Humpfree 25-1 Behind, ran green, pushed along halfway, never in contention, 11th of 16, 27l behind Grenfell at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (H) gs.
Lunch Was My Idea (IRE) 9-2 Always behind, 6th of 8, well behind Oscar Park at Warwick 2m nhf lst (A) sft in Jan.
The Cool Guy (IRE) 4-1 Tracked leaders, led 6f out, ridden and headed 3f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Flinders Bay at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Pearly Star 9-2 Held up in midfield, stayed on same pace final 2f, never dangerous, 5th of 16, 6l behind Grenfell at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (H) gs.
Seemma 66-1 Chased leaders, challenged from over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 9l behind Glasker Mill at Kempton 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Talikos (FR) 12-1 Behind, some headway final 2f but never near leaders, 10th of 18, 23l behind Sworn In at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gs.
