held up in rear, never in contention
prominent, early, ridden 4th, soon struggling, tailed off
in touch, ridden and weakened, tailed off
made all, soon well clear, unchallenged
chased leaders, ridden 5th, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off
raced wide, blundered 1st, headway to track leaders 4th, ridden and weakened 6th
held up, stayed on to take 2nd before, no impresion
raced wide, held up in rear, never a factor
held up, headway 6th, soon went 3rd, no impression last
soon chased clear winner, no impression 6th, lost moderate 2nd approaching last
held up, ridden after 4th, moderate late headway, no chance
Maharbal gets the vote in the finale with French Saulaie and Hearthstead Dream the others to consider. The selection has had his fitness problems in the past but he won well when returning from a break last time at Kempton when beating Golden Bay and he gave the impression that day that there would be more to come. He looks progressive and should be tough to beat. French Saulaie rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Niver Bai at Huntingdon. He is another who looks progressive and if our selection fails to fire then he should be the one to profit. Hearthstead Dream won easily last time and he has to be respected again off his light weight. However, this is much tougher than his last race so he will need to improve to get his head in front. Ashley Brook chased home Kauto Star last time and there is no doubt he is better over the bigger obstacles than over hurdles. He has place claims today but we are happy to return to the progressive Maharbal as our selection.
Dalaram (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Always in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Verasi (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft, 17 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Blundered 3 out, always towards rear, 7th of 10, 27l behind Tagula Blue (11-4) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Heathcote 8-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy.
Maharbal (FR) 10-3fav (10-5) Held up mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders after 3 out, led between last 2, clear approaching last, pushed out, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Golden Bay (10-1) by 5l, 13 ran.
Ashley Brook (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Led until 4 out, stayed pressing winner, ridden and still chance 3 out, held 2 out, kept on as winner idled run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec '05.
Nikola (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, led after 2nd to 4th, left in lead 5th, headed 3 out, led again approaching 2out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Dhehdaah (11-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
The Kop End (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway to chase leader approaching 2 out, led flat, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating Sunisa (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Special Envoy (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Made all, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft beating Leo McGarry (10-4) by 12l, 12 ran.
French Saulaie (FR) 4-6fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway on inside 5th, led 2 out, ran on well, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Niver Bai (11-5) by 7l, 16 ran.
Albinus 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 5th, led 7th, headed last, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Ma Yahab 10-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy.
Polinamix (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Grecian Groom (11-5) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Hearthstead Dream 9-4fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, 4th before last, led early run-in, soon clear, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl 0-130 hvy beating Pantarez (10-1) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
