close up, chased winner from 4th, hit 3 out, lost 2nd from 2 out, soon weakened
close up, led from 2nd, kept on well from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace
always towards rear
in rear, headway before last, went 3rd last strides
led to 2nd, chased winner to 4th, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
in touch, ridden before 3 out, soon struggling
tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 5th, lost 3rd place last strides
Nicky Henderson sent out last year's winner and loves to field a strong team at this meeting but Forever Field clearly has questions to answer at present. There is a case to be made for the in form POLSTAR, however, with Paul O'Brien's claim meaning last month's Wincanton winner only has to give 4lb to the three year old Paddys Runner, who tackles older horses for the first time over hurdles. A line through Impulsive American gives Harry Whittington's charge the edge. Stand To Reason and Iniesta have each way claims while Closest Friend is back in the right grade but the lack of a recent run is a worry for Global Thrill and Presenting Arms..
Global Thrill 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd after 4 out, 2nd after 2 out, hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Arzal (11-5) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Presenting Arms (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, never reached leaders, 7th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Song Light (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Closest Friend 12-1 (10-0) Led until 2 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching last, 10th of 11, 14l behind Nabucco (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Take A Break (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up when in view after 2nd, 2nd after 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, dist behind Dubawi Island (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Polstar (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, chased leaders 2 out, 2nd between last two, 3 lengths down last, switched left run-in stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Impulsive American (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Tamarillo Grove (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led until after 1st, prominent, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Pull The Chord (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Forever Field (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m (4) gd in May.
Boston Blue 50-1 (10-11) Behind, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 22 1/4l behind Highway Code (11-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Iniesta (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 19 1/4l behind Thunder Sheik (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Paddys Runner 5-2fav (8-3) In touch, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Star Rider (8-11) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Right Step 11-2 (11-7) Whipped around and unseated rider at start of race, at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Stand To Reason (IRE) 8-1fav (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent when effort 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression, 8th of 17, 12l behind Crickel Wood (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
