took keen hold, tracked leaders until lost place 3rd, hit next, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
held up, badly hampered 2nd, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, hung left flat
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, weakened
in touch, hit 3rd, ridden after next, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 4th, led approaching 3 out, clear last, edged left, ridden out
held up, headway 2nd, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out
tracking leaders when fell 2nd
chased leaders, hampered 3rd, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out
raced freely, led, went left 3rd, headed next, soon ridden, weakening when blundered 3 out
It may not pay to be too brave with a host of unexposed sorts to consider but Chance Du Roy has solid claims and represents last year's winning combination. He's preferred to Cnoc Moy and Kavaloti. The selection had Cnoc Moy and Kavaloti a long way behind when winning at Newbury and ran as well as can have been expected behind Ashkazar last time. The form's nothing to write home about but he may be good enough to win this. Cnoc Moy has progressed since Newbury but there are major concerns as to whether he'll be able to see out the trip on this stiffer track although he was staying on quite well at Ludlow last time. Kavaloti looked set to score at Plumpton but that was a bad race and the fall may have dented his confidence. Fredo has shown ability but was due to run at Warwick on Friday whilst Haldibari appears to have his own ideas about the game and is one to be wary of. The market should be monitored for signs of a springer but Chance Du Roy has solid claims and is selected.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 34l behind Ashkazar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Cnoc Moy (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Haldibari (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 7th of 14, 22l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd.
Mark of Love (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Hampered 2 out, always towards rear, 5th of 11, 47l behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Kavaloti (IRE) 8-11fav (10-7) Led, headed after 1st, mistake 3 out, headway to lead when fell 2 out in race won by Sumdancer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Stagehand (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Led, ridden after 4th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Group Captain (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (1) gs.
Foreign King (USA) 22-1 (11-2) Pulled early towards rear, headway ridden 3 out, no danger after, 7th of 9, 31l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Flying Grey (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 14, 13l behind Amnesty (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Power Shared (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 16, 30l behind Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Limit (GER) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 12, 11l behind Young Yozza (11-6) at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Fredo (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, outpaced 3 out, no danger after, 4th of 9, 10l behind Prideus (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
