held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to challenge approaching approaching final furlong, soon weakened
held up, never dangerous
always prominent, led over 3f out, hard ridden and strongly challenged from over 1f out, held on gamely
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
dwelt, always in rear
in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, hard ridden, just held
held up mid division, hung right over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, never on terms
led, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly
held up in touch, under pressure over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
held up in rear, lost action over 5f out, virtually pulled up
Plenty of in-form horses on display here but CHOSEN FOREVER arrives on the back of three successive course and distance wins so should be sided with once more ahead of Boo and Nacho Libre. Our selection is now 18lbs higher than when beginning his winning run, but a comfortable success last time suggested he might well be up to defying another penalty. Conditions are ideal for this gelding and he's unbeaten under Jimmy Quinn, so whilst this is competitive enough it would appear unwise to desert the five-year-old now. He can confirm form with Boo, who is far more exposed but showed himself still capable in taking second last time. The eight-year-old has won off much higher marks previously and whilst clearly not as good any more, perhaps he can again follow our pick home. Nacho Libre is another bang in form horse, but there have to be questions raised over his suitability at today's trip having never gone beyond seven furlongs. That said, his success last time was decisive enough and if he does stay then our selection may have a fight on his hands. Bolanderi hasn't been seen out since September but has claims on his last two efforts; he stays this trip and further and Alex Edwards' allowance helps ease the burden of top weight. Thunderstruck should ensure there is a solid gallop here but although he's in good form this is tougher than recent assignments and we feel he'll be passed late on, so of more interest at a price is Heathyards Junior whose last time out victory came in selling company but he is unexposed and capable of progress. Houston Dynimo hasn't been seen on the level for some time and may need this outing, whilst Whooshka hasn't been able to repeat the form of her solid debut victory and looks best watched on this first run for three months. Castle Myth is a course and distance winner but he was well held behind our pick last time and Moonlight Man hasn't won for almost two years and has questions to answer so Mulltiovermaurice might be the outsider most likely to cause an upset if returning to the form he showed this time last year. A very good end to a decent card in prospect here in which Chosen Forever is worth backing to score once more.
Bolanderi (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Ela Gorrie Mou (8-12) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Whooshka (USA) 33-1 (8-11) Held up and keen, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 15, 14l behind Luc Jordan (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Thunderstruck 9-4fav (9-4) Tracked leader, led after 3f, steadied pace over 4f out, ridden and quickened over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Dream Of Fortune (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Heathyards Junior 8-11fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led just over 2f out, hung right when in command final furlong, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol beating Ten Pole Tudor (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Nacho Libre 5-2fav (8-13) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Valentino Swing (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Chosen Forever 2-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Boo (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Taaresh (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Raced wide, in touch, chased leader over 6f out, until over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 29l behind Dream Of Fortune (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 4f out, no extra from 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 12l behind Dirar (9-1) at Downpatrick 1m 4f stks gs in Aug '08.
Boo 33-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Chosen Forever (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Moonlight Man 11-4 (8-8) Chased leaders, hung left and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Transmission (8-13) at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs.
Mullitovermaurice 25-1 (9-5) Held up, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Desert Vision (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Castle Myth (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 7l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
