tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, driven to chase clear leaders after 3 out, ridden and outpaced after next, kept on, never on terms
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again next, made rest, drew clear approaching 2 out, shaken up between last 2, driven out, stayed on well, impressive
held up in rear, mistake 4 out, outpaced after next, tailed off
mid-division, headway to chase front pair after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, kept on, no impression
with winner, led 2nd, not fluent and headed next, chased winner, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, well held in 4th from last
mid-division, dropped towards rear 4th, outpaced 3 out, never a threat
raced keenly, held up behind, blundered 3rd, headway before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
This has been won by some smart performers in recent seasons and this year’s renewal looks ultra-competitive. Mont Des Avaloirs was probably a bit too keen in the Tolworth at Sandown last month but still finished third and the second won the Betfair Hurdle next time. Michael's Mount won with any amount in hand on his hurdles bow at Doncaster and Destrier is still on an upward curve. Shoal Bay ran in a hot contest at Cheltenham after winning at Taunton but this is a big step up for Southwell scorer Global Citizen. Carntop and Humphrey Bogart were decent performers on the Flat but not as good as SCARLET DRAGON. Fitness after a wind operation and a lack of experience are a worry in a race like this but the five-year-old was placed twice in Group 3 races last year on the level and is a real terrier who should thrive over timber. Conditions shouldn’t be a problem, though he wouldn’t want any rain.
Carntop 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along on outside over 2f out, soon on heels of leaders, hung badly right and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Soldier In Action (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Destrier (FR) 6-4 (11-10) In rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Miss Tynte (10-11) by 8l, 6 ran.
Global Citizen (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Southwell 2m (4) sft in Feb beating Euxton Lane (11-4) by 8l, 10 ran.
Humphrey Bogart (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) Pulled hard, held up last, went 4th 10f out, ridden and went 3rd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Kings Fete (9-7) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Michael's Mount 14-1 (11-3) In touch, led 2 out, jumped left last, kept on well run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb beating Doux Pretender (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Led, set good pace and clear after 2nd, hit 3rd, hit next and reduced lead, joined and hit 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed soon after, no impression when lost 2nd approaching the last, weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Summerville Boy (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Rockpoint 4-1 (11-2) Reared and whipped round start, headway tracking leading pair after 1st, 2nd approaching 4 out, challenged and hit next, led briefly approaching next, ridden and no chance with winner between last 2, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Whatswrongwithyou (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Scarlet Dragon 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders over 3f out, ridden and chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 7 1/4l behind Desert Encounter (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Shoal Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Set very slow pace until 2nd, tracked leader, challenged 2 out, soon led again, headed before mistake last, weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Ballywood (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 8, nk behind Nadia Has (10-3) at Fontainebleau 2m 2f sft in Nov.
