never better than mid-division
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
always behind
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, held when stumbled last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
keen in mid-division, hit 6th, soon weakened
in touch, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden no further impression leaders
tracked leaders, hit 6th, soon weakened
mid-division until weakened 3 out
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, ran on strongly, comfortably
Oceanos des Obeaux is selected ahead of Hobbs Hill and Prime Number, while it would also be interesting to note any support for Novicon. The last named is suited by a little give underfoot and, having impressed when winning a bumper in good style on soft ground at Worcester last season, he has the proven ability to quicken under pressure. Quite whether he will need the run is open to debate but he is one for the future whatever happens. Prime Number was fairly useful on the Flat for Gerard Butler; reaching a career highest mark of 89 before his recent switch to the winter game. The gelding coped with similar ground on his hurdling debut here last month and, although he wouldn't want any more rain, he is shortlisted as a threat. Hobbs Hill won a Kempton bumper last season before finishing second to a subsequent dual winner Geeveem (at Wincanton). That form reads well in the context of this race and a bold bid is expected from Charlie Egerton's charge. However, Oceanos des Obeaux has the edge in terms of race fitness and, with the form of his Taunton race working out well, the French-bred gelding is fancied to step up a gear today
Spear Thistle 5-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 16l behind Nobelix (11-4) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Classic Gold (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, effort after 4 out, weakened approaching next, 12th of 14, well behind Double Vodka (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Croon 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 20, well behind Springvic (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Behind and not jump well, headway 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Bradley Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Go Solo 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 21, 24l behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Guns of Love (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, in touch, went 2nd after 3f, led 9f out until 8f out, weakened quickly over 7f out, last of 9, well behind Royal Attraction (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Hobbs Hill 10-11fav (11-6) Prominent, led and pecked badly 5th, headed after 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Geeveem (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Jose Bove 100-1 (10-4) Led after 2f, headed approaching 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Alfie Flits (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4yo nhf (6) gs in Jan.
King Cyrus (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 21l behind Ringaroses (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Mission To Mars 40-1 (11-0) In rear, struggling after 4 out, jumped badly right 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Silverburn (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Nocivo (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when pecked 2 out, 4th of 10, 21l behind Rare Coincidence (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov '05.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 4th, chased winner well after 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 14, 6l behind De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Prime Number (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, mistake 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Court Ruler (10-12) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Starnevees (FR) 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Great Hawk (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sept (Flat).
Zabeel Palace 20-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 2 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 39l behind Sobers (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Amaretto Rose 11-10fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6f out, led going well over 3f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m mrs nhf (6) gd in Oct beating Symbiosis (10-5) by 10l, 20 ran.
