held up, jumped slowly 4th, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
always prominent, ridden after 3 out, edged left flat, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, edged right approaching 2 out, led flat, headed close home
chased leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
prominent, mistake 4th, weakened 5th
held up, raced keenly, mistake 5th, headway when mistake 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after last
held up, mistake 5th, soon weakened
always in rear
held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, headway approaching 5th, ridden when stumbled 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistakes 2nd and 5th, struggling when blundered 3 out, no impression
always behind
mid-division but well in touch, not fluent 3rd, went prominent after 4th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and close 3rd when blundered last, edged right flat, stayed on well to lead close home
set steady pace, shaken up from 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish
took keen hold, in touch from 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after last
Preference in what should prove to be an informative heat is for The Polomoche ahead of Rapid Increase, Sovereign King and Equity Release. Nicky Henderson's runner was very well backed to win a Ludlow bumper in May and is held in high regard. The form of that has been franked in no uncertain style by the runner-up, Calgary Bay, and he's sure to have been well schooled. Rapid Increase sets the standard on his second to Sir Harry Ormesher and is respected but his penalty doesn't make life easy. The extra weight could also ensure that Sovereign King is vulnerable and his latest start was disappointing. Of more interest is Equity Release for whom little went right on his hurdling debut at Kempton; that experience should stand him in good stead and better is expected. The Vicar is one to watch with the future in mind but, for the winner, we come back to The Polomoche.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway to 6th, challenged 3 out, hung left, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Sovereign King 9-4 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, led and hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 6th of 12, 17l behind King Caine (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Crofters Lad (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 5th, weakened next, 11th of 15, 41l behind Planet of Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Dip Anchor 40-1 (10-3) Chased leaders until weakened over 4f out, 11th of 15, well behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
English Bay 33-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Carys's Lad (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov, 11 ran.
Equity Release (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up, blundered 4th, headway 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 7l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Handy Option (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of Duchess of Kinsale.
Important Business (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 6th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 8l behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Keltic Moon (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up on outside, mid-division, headway halfway, weakened 5f out, 9th of 12, well behind Black Ven (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Monkey Massini (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, prominent, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed after 7th, weakening when blundered 3 out, soon eased, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Phar Again (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, in touch, headway 5th, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 14, 9l behind County Zen (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Pikasso (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Held up, headway half way, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Paddy Live (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Shampers 80-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 21l behind Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
The Longfella 50-1 (10-12) Held up, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 37l behind Super Baby (10-9) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '06.
The Polomoche (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) won at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in May beating Calgary Bay (10-12) by a shd, 10 ran.
The Vicar (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 7f out, effort and ran wide over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 19, 7l behind Charity Lane (10-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Zahra's Place 40-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leader, struggling after 4th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
