chased leaders, went 3rd 5f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, weakened over 1f out
led until ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leaders, no extra in 4th over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out until 2f out, no chance with easy winner, dropped to 3rd final 75 yards
took keen hold in mid-division, weakened over 3f out
chased leader, pushed along 4f out, lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened inside final 3f, tailed off
raced on outside in mid-division, pushed along 4f out, hung right and no impression in 5th over 2f out, weakened
always towards rear, reminders 9f out, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in mid-division on inside, smooth headway to track leaders 5f out, led going well 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily
towards rear, lost touch inside final mile, tailed off
soon behind, plugged on final 2f, never remotely involved
held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, went 5th over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 75 yards and kept on well, never near easy winner
The Skyfarmer was only beaten a head by the well-regarded Red Sherlock on his debut under Rules at Ascot having already won a point-to-point. A repeat of that form should make him hard to beat here but it's difficult to ignore the terrific strike rate of Nicky Henderson's bumper horses here and WEST WIZARD has a nice pedigree. He's by leading NH sire King's Theatre and a half-brother to winners over hurdles and fences so gets the nod. Charles Hills has a rare NH runner in Crow Down and he must be interesting with McCoy doing the steering while Cloudy Lady should improve on her close fourth at Lingfield.
Bajardo (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened 3f out, 3rd of 15, 30l behind Wadswick Court (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Keltic Rhythm (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Pr, 3rd 3out, left 2nd 2out, ko sme pce from last, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Davy From Milan (12-0) at Monksgrange 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '12.
Sweet Boy Vic (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 5f out, 7th of 8, 28l behind Red Sherlock (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) sft in Feb.
The Skyfarmer 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, hard ridden when strongly challenged over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Red Sherlock (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) sft in Feb.
Beat The Bounds Beat All gelding out of Regally.
Cloudy Lady 10-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division outpaced inside final 3f, rallied on inside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 4th and going on close home, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Celestial Island (10-9) at Lingfield 2m mares n h flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Cracker Mill 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 5l behind Lurcher (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f 4yo n h flat (6) std in Jan.
Crow Down (IRE) Oratorio gelding out of Louve Sereine.
Denbury Lad Mutazayid gelding out of Torridge Lily.
Storm Quest Storming Home mare out of Recherchee.
West Wizard (FR) King's Theatre gelding out of Queen's Diamond.
Hearson Lily Mutazayid filly out of Name That Tune.
Rosa Imperialis Imperial Dancer filly out of Motcombe.
The Pirate's Queen (IRE) King's Theatre filly out of Shivermetimber.
Fine Words 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 7th of 12, 20l behind Doctor Harper (11-9) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, headway over 3f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon faded, 6th of 16, 15l behind Purple Bay (10-7) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Feb.
Spring Steel (IRE) Dushyantor gelding out of Fieldtown.
Talented Kid Teofilo gelding out of See You Later.
