led until 2nd, chased leaders, weakened after 6th, tailed off
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 5th, challenging when not fluent 3 out, led soon after last, driven out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden and close 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
led 2nd until next, prominent, ridden and beaten when fell 3 out
held up towards rear, headway from 5th, close up and ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, left 4th last
chased leaders until 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, led next, hit last, soon headed, no extra
keen towards rear, headway from 4th, close up and ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, struggling 4th, weakened after 6th
in touch, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, 4th and held when fell last
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
led and mistake 3rd, headed next, hit 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
Beshabar has the form to win this at the expense of Thebelloftheball and Quickbeam. The selection caught the eye first time out when second to Petit Robin in a hot contest at Newbury in December. That form looks the best on offer here and if able to improve from his debut he is the one they all have to beat. Of his rivals Thebelloftheball has the experience on his side with four bumper runs and three hurdle runs. He has run with credit on all outings but showed real improvement when winning over course and distance last time out. He does carry a penalty for that so life may well be tougher from now on. Quickbeam comes from a powerful yard doing well at present. He ran well to finish second on his hurdles bow but did not fair as well in heavy conditions last time out so has to be treated with some caution. So for the winner we return to Beshabar.
Award Winning (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Led until 2nd, behind from 5th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind King Caine (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Beshabar (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and not fluent 6th, went 4th after next, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Connak (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Always behind, 8th of 11, 37l behind Kornati Kid (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Fire Within Saddlers' Hall gelding out of winning hurdler/chaser Mystere.
French Leave (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Raced keenly towards rear, shaken up 6th, headway next, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 15, 50l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Krackatara 12-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 7f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 16l behind Fassaroe (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft.
Levantine (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until 5th, soon behind and fell 2 out in race won by Khyber Kim (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Petrus De Sormain (FR) (10-5) Close up to final furlong, 5th of 10, more than 8l behind Ouragan Du Bouchat (11-0) at Paray-Le-monial 1m 4f stk sft in Mar (Flat).
Quickbeam (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 44l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
This Way (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Towards rear, blundered 1st, effort after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, gradually weakened, 4th of 16, 12l behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Tom Fontenailles (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, some headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, well behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Thebelloftheball 16-1 (10-7) Prominent, chased leader approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead after 3 out, driven out from last, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Maggie Mathias (10-10) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Colorado Storm Weld mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Skipperham Well 100-1 (10-9) Led to halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, well behind Fassaroe (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft.
You Know Bridie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced wide, held up, headway 7th, no impression, 10th of 14, 40l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
