held up, keen, headway 7th, ridden and close up 3 out, faded flat
tracked leaders and keen, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, ridden 8th, weakened soon after, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, ridden and lost place 6th, soon no impression
held up, headway 4 out, close up 3 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out
led, headed after 1st, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden clear last
tracked leader, led after 1st, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace
in touch and keen, ridden and weakened after 4 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened after 8th and tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, effort after 8th, short lived
ANY CURRENCY may prove to be a more solid option than Hivikos whilst a keen eye must be kept on Shaking Hands. Hivikos has looked potentially well handicapped and has been quite well supported to win well contested races over hurdles and fences on his last two starts. He blundered away his chance in the first of them but weakened tamely at Kempton and couldn't be a confident choice to fulfil his promise. Any Currency keeps finding one too strong but he's bumped into some useful sorts, including Cheltenham Festival fancy Chariot Charger last time. The third and fourth on his latest start have franked the form, he appeared to see out a slightly shorter trip well enough and handles testing ground. Kayf Aramis had a hard race at Fontwell and is vulnerable; of more interest is Shaking Hands who won an Irish point in which Burton Port unseated, he hails from a yard going well and should be monitored for support. Blue Dark, Normally and Finmere ran well over course and distance in January but need to pull out a bit more if they're to make the frame whilst this is a fairly stiff introduction for fair bumper performer Sergeant Harper. Any Currency sets the standard and can land the money.
Any Currency (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Led, hit 6th, headed 3 out, regained lead next, driven and headed between last 2, no chance with winner when rider dropped whip flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Chariot Charger (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Back To Reality 25-1 (8-12) Started slowly, held up towards rear, never a danger, 16th of 17, 33l behind Pending (9-5) at Chepstow 1m sll (6) gd in Aug '05 (Flat).
Blue Dark (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, steady headway 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 13, 5l behind Radmores Revenge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Finmere (IRE) 125-1 (11-3) Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on, switched left approaching last, soon hung left under pressure, kept on, 4th of 13, 2l behind Radmores Revenge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Hivikos (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 11l behind Pressgang (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Incentivise (IRE) 150-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened 5 out, 9th of 14, well behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Kayf Aramis 11-10fav (10-12) Chased winner, not fluent 2nd, challenged 8th, ridden after 3 out, led next, hit last, hung right by paddock entrance, no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Latanier (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Normally 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sergeant Harper (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakening when not much room entering final furlong, 9th of 15, 10l behind Red Harbour (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Shaking Hands (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, led last, stayed on strongly, won at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp sft in Apr beating Ballybart (11-7) by 2l, 10 ran.
Throwaround 6-4fav (12-0) Bhnd til eff 12; wknd aft 14; t.o & pulled up in race won by Braeroy (12-0) at Bishops Court 3m ptp gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Timaquan Warrior 25-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, tailed off 6f out, 10th of 15, well behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in May '07.
Winchester Red 17-2 (11-4) Led, jumped left 3rd, not fluent next, jumped left 5th, headed just after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Kilvergan Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
