in touch in mid-division, ridden on left under pressure, weakened before last
chased leaders, under pressure 2 out, stayed on after and soon challenging, led last, stayed on well, driven out
always towards rear
ridden and mistake 8th, always behind
pressed leader, led 8th, strongly pressed when hit 2 out, kept on gamely and held narrow advantage until headed last, not quicken and lost 2nd flat, kept on trying
behind when blundered and fell 5th
held up in rear, mistake 5th, pushed along 7th, behind when hit 4 out
behind, mistake 6th, ridden and headway after 2 out, kept on flat
in touch until weakened 9th and soon in rear
led, headed 8th, stayed close up, weakening when mistake 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
in touch in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on into 2nd flat, not reach winner
in touch in midfield, pushed along on inside and trying to challenge when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after next
chased leaders, chased leader from 8th, every chance 3 out, weakened after next
Kayf Aramis has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for his successful season last term when with Venetia Williams and has not surprisingly struggled in two starts this season for Nigel Twiston-Davies so a better bet looks to be EARTH PLANET, who gets the vote ahead of Time For Rupert. Paul Webber's gelding is surely better than he showed on his reappearance when well held behind Zaynar at Ascot and it will be interesting to see if there is any market support for him. Bob Buckler's Clyffe Hanger has been running consistently well and should again be thereabouts but looks a shade high in the weights at present with a bigger danger likely to come from Wolf Moon. Martin Keighley's gelding only just did enough when successful here last month but he has not been harshly treated having only been raised 4lbs for that win and he has to be considered with the yard in good form. Alan King's Trenchant belied market odds when winning at Kempton last month and has claims despite the 6lb rise for that victory but he may struggle off a career high mark. Paul Nolan's Maucaillou ran well when a close fourth behind the in-form Lie Forrit here last month and has to be respected but he is held by Earth Planet on running that day and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding can confirm that form and gain a deserved success.
Trenchant 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along after 4th, headway approaching 3 out, led between last 2, went right and hit last, hung left flat, just held on, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Alderluck (10-9) by nk, 13 ran.
Time For Rupert (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Zaynar (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov.
Ring The Boss (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Souffleur 25-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 6th, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching last, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Kayf Aramis 12-1 (11-5) Close up, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 16, 28l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Earth Planet (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leader, challenged 3 out, still every chance last, hung left flat and stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Lie Forrit (9-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Buena Vista (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, 5th of 16, 20l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Maucaillou (GER) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Lie Forrit (9-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Chiaro (FR) 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 4th of 17, 8l behind Hello Bud (10-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Amore Mio (GER) 20-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Wolf Moon (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Giovanna 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 5l behind Amber Brook (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Made In Japan (JPN) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance when hit 2 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 16l behind Lie Forrit (9-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, keen early, improved approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Balthazar King (11-5) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, led before 2 out, headed and hit last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind My Friend Sandy (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Stripe Me Blue 40-1 (10-4) In touch, blundered badly 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
