tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed last, one pace
chased leaders, weakened approaching last
held up, struggling from 5th, tailed off
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up and raced wide, weakened from 4 out, soon tailed off
Nonrunner
MASTER OF ARTS is the selection in a fascinating race although he will need to be in tip-top order to beat Copper Bleu and Marc Aurele. There has already been some ante-post support for Master Of Arts ahead of the Cheltenham festival and the former Sir Mark Prescott inmate made 310 000gns at the sales in October. The win prize money is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison but put simply, he needs to win this to maintain and aspirations of bigger prizes. Copper Bleu sets a fair standard among the previous winners. The Newbury race that he won has thrown plenty of decent winners in the past and the form was given a boost by the second placed runner earlier in the week. Marc Aurele is an interesting runner given that he is part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. A winner on the flat for Andre Fabre, he could be anything. King's Forest confirmed the impression of his British debut with a victory in bottomless going at Taunton. He had chased home Pandorama in a bumper in Ireland previously. Fassaroe was turned over at even money in a weaker affair at Hereford so needs to have found improvement. Burnt Oak has reportedly had injury problems in the past though battled well at Newcastle on hurdling introduction. Master Of Arts is the pick.
Burnt Oak (UAE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Signalman (10-5) by a hd, 16 ran.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, impressive, won at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Riverside Theatre (11-0) by 14l, 16 ran.
King's Forest (IRE) 11-10fav (10-9) Pulled early and held up last, headway after 4th, chased leaders 3 out, challenged and pecked 2 out, soon led, ridden clear from last, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Seefin Mountain (10-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Bold Adventure 66-1 (11-4) Always in rear, ridden and struggling before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 49l behind Circus of Dreams (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Newgate (UAE) 200-1 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 18, 39l behind Fushe Jo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Marc Aurele (IRE) (9-0) Tracked leader, effort 1f out, led close home, won at Chantilly 1m 2f sft in Sept beating Barongo (9-0) by a shd, 8 ran (Flat).
Master of Arts (USA) 2-5fav (9-12) Tracked leader, under pressure over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven clear, won at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul beating Prince Of Thebes (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran (Flat).
North Parade 9-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 4l behind Afram Blue (8-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Fassaroe Evensfav (10-12) In touch, headway 5th, ridden and close up when jumped left 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Covert Mission (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
