chased leaders in 4th, hit 6th, chased leading pair from 9th, driven before 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out
always behind, hit 7th, struggling before 3 out
held up, hit 4th, not fluent 8th, short lived effort before 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd next, 4th and unbeaten when blundered last
held up in rear, headway under pressure before 3 out, chased easy winner 2 out, no impression
tracked leader 3rd to 9th, weakened rapidly and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader to 3rd, settled 3rd, went 2nd 9th, led going well 3 out, clear from next, eased run-in
In an interesting finale, the vote goes to Day Of Claies ahead of Good Call, Just For Now and Mister Apple's. Much as he was a fortunate winner at Stratford last time, Day Of Claies is clearly well-regarded as he was well-supported that day, He should run well and gets a fairly solid call today. Jonjo O'Neill's 80,000 euros purchase, Good Call, is of obvious interest on his debut, while Just For Now looks well up to winning a novice event based on his Plumpton second to Ask The Gatherer on his debut. Love Of Classics ran better in cheekpieces last time than he had previously, but we prefer others, while Definite Approach has shown promise but is having his first run of the season. A bigger threat to the selection might come from the Ian Williams-trained Auteuil winner, Mister Apple's, who rates as interesting. Finally, Jim Old's 28,000 guineas purchase, Super Lord, who makes his debut today, certainly holds promise for the future but, for the selection, we will stick with Day Of Claies.
Day Of Claies (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Held up in touch, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, beaten when left in lead last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (D) gs in Oct beating Scarlet Dawn (10-9) by 2l, 16 ran.
Definite Approach (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 7th, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 14, 27l behind Laska De Thaix (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Mar.
Good Call (IRE) Roselier gelding, half-brother to winning bumpers Kingfisher Flyer and No Shenanigans.
Just For Now (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Close up, tracked leading pair 3 out, chased winner 2 out, driven and kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Ask The Gatherer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Love Of Classics 100-1 (10-10) Held up, headway before 7th, chased leaders after 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Ungaro (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gd.
Mister Apple's (FR) (10-1) 10th of 17, 23l behind Lord Mirande (10-9) at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp chs hvy in Apr.
Super Lord (IRE) Won at Wexford 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Gothspirit by 2l, 13 ran.
