in touch, lost place 4th, soon tailed off
held up, keen, ridden after 3 out, soon chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, weakened
held up, some progress on long run approaching 2 out, no further impression
held up, ridden, stayed on from 2 out, took 2nd flat
led, ridden, headed approaching last, fading
tracked leaders, keen, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led on long run approaching last, ridden out
in touch, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, faded flat
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3rd, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
Saraba is one to keep a close eye on but Omme Antique has obvious claims and can get the better of Misbehaviour. The selection showed improved form on his handicap bow at Warwick where only a sloppy jump at the final flight prevented him from recording a maiden success. The handicapper has reacted accordingly by dishing out a 7lb rise but it would be surprising if he isn't capable of a good deal better yet. Misbehaviour has the edge on experience and is weighted to win again but this could be a shade too competitive. Khazar has yet to convince and has plenty to find with Bay Hawk on their latest running whilst the Powell runner is still a maiden after 10 starts and it's hard to see where the requisite improvement will come from. There could be more to come from Funny Fellow whilst Saraba could be a live danger if able to run to the level of form that she showed in four starts in 2005/6. The percentage call though is to side with Omme Antique.
Cunning Pursuit 20-1 (10-7) Led, headed 2nd, ridden and lost place 8th, hit 11th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Predator (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct '06, 7 ran.
Omme Antique (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, mistake 3 out, soon led, ridden when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, headed flat, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, shd behind El Zorro (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Misbehaviour 5-1 (10-13) Held up, steady headway approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Cockatoo (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Khazar (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and effort approaching last, weakened flat, 11th of 16, 23l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Funny Fellow 100-1 (11-6) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 19l behind Shining Gale (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd.
Saraba (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4 out, clear 2 out, kept on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar '06 beating Nobodys Perfect (10-7) by 2l, 18 ran.
Bay Hawk 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on well under pressure, not pace of winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Mount Benger 12-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Royal Wedding (11-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Krasivi's Boy (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Held up, brief effort 5th, never a factor, 5th of 11, 15l behind Cockatoo (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
