mid-division, ridden over 3f out, plugged on
made all, ridden and edged right final furlong, ran on
outpaced, hung left from over 1f out
mid-division, effort 3f out on outside, no impression
with leader, ridden 3f out, faded final furlong
chased leaders, kept on one pace
chased winner from halfway, no impression from over 1f out
Triskaidekaphobia is sure to be popular with punters here but a better bet could be Almaty Express, who is nominated over Perlachy. The selection won well last time when beating Sands Crooner over this course and distance and a 6lbs penalty may not be enough to anchor him today. He came good at this time last year and from a good low draw he can score again here. Triskaidekaphobia is an obvious danger as he arrives here in search of the 4-timer and he is still very well-treated on his form of 2 years ago. He has a good draw and he should go close. Perlachy has the worst of the draw and he finished behind our selection last time. He is also probably better over further and for that reason we will take him on. Star Strider won well here last time but this looks tougher and he could be vulnerable under his penalty. All of which returns us to Almaty Express as the one to beat.
Star Strider 3-1 (9-13) Bumped start, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol beating Chivola (8-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Almaty Express 9-2 (8-8) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged left well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Sands Crooner (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Tigim (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Towards rear, stayed on well final furlong, 8th of 20, 4l behind Fly By Magic (9-10) at Navan 5f handicap gf in Oct.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, soon held, 8th of 12, 3l behind Figaro Flyer (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Triskaidekaphobia 5-2 (9-2) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Mickleberry (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Perlachy 8-1 (8-9) Always prominent, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bond Becks (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Prominent, led 2f out, headed 1f out, faded, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Perlachy (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.