made all and clear to after 3rd, driven and drew clear 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
mistake first, always in rear
in touch, lost pace 4 out, soon behind
held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
chased winner, headway after 3rd, driven and effort approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with winner
We'll shortlist Aviation, Fair Along and Ortalan Bleu, and give the vote to Fair Along. Aviation gets a good mention here, having won three of his four starts, including when defying his odds to take a competitive novice event at Wetherby last time. He is very much respected, but Philip Hobbs' progressive three-time winner Fair Along put up a remarkable performance when making all at Cheltenham last time, beating a very good horse in Afsoun - watch out for him in the future - and, if this race does not come too soon for him after that, he looks the one to beat. Bear in mind, though, the Howard Johnson newcomer, Ortalan Bleu. A French import, he showed promise on the Flat in his homeland and, sure to have been well-schooled for this, can go well. Overall, the others seem to need to find improvement, although a market move for Royal Charter would be interesting. Once again, then, the selection is Fair Along.
Aviation 28-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, led approcahing last, kept on under pressure flat, won at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (A) sft in Oct beating Dock Tower (10-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Fair Along (GER) 11-2 (10-12) Made all, went well clear after 1st, 9 lengths clear 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on gamely flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs beating Afsoun (10-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
First Fought (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, challenged on bit from 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs beating Double Spectre (10-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Flaming Weapon 14-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Oct beating Pocketwood (10-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Royal Master 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 5th, ridden after 2 out, led after last, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug beating Whirling (10-5) by a nk, 12 ran.
Ortolan Bleu (FR) (10-1) Some late headway, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Opaline Des Aulmes (9-12) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 4f stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Brendan's Surprise 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Venetian Princess (8-9) at Southwell 1m mdn clm (7) fbs (Flat).
Young Thomas (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, weakened 5f out, soon beaten, last of 11, well behind Mezuzah (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jun (Flat).
