mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, led 3 out, soon clear
held up mid-division, one pace from 2 out
in touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden next, one pace
tracked leader and raced wide, lost place 4 out, tailed off
held up, weakened after 3 out
held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged next, kept on from last, no chance with winner
held up in rear, weakened after 3 out
led, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, never on terms
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
The richest race on the card, and a wide-open affair too, with BASALT heading our shortlist, which also includes Clova Island and Zanir. Lightly raced, Basalt started his career in Ireland with Aiden O'Brien before moving to Tim Pitt's North Yorkshire operation. An easy winner on his hurdles debut last year, he tired in soft ground when attempting to follow up, but he benefited from a year's break before having a spin at Wolverhampton last month when runner up in a stayers' handicap. You have to beware the bounce factor, but he's certainly shown previously he's capable in this sort of company. Clova Island has proved versatile in differing conditions, but has been unable to follow up a win in a similar race a year ago, and now has a first run since April. He's Phillip Hobbs' only runner here today. Tom George had a couple of winners over the weekend, and Zanir is his only runner here today. He's given weight away all round, and hasn't really progressed since winning on soft ground at Kempton nearly two years ago. A lengthy absence was followed by a pipe-opener last month, and he should be all the better for that run at Aintree. The Cayterers and Zahra's Place are the only course and distance winners in the field, but they were both a while ago. Basalt though is the least exposed and with potentially the most improvement to come, and we're happy to side with him.
Zanir (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Eld up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 8th of 13, 10l behind Nampour (10-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Balzaccio (FR) 6-1 (9-13) Held up, pushed along 3rd, struggling 3 out, 7th of 9, 15l behind James De Vassy (10-4) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Clova Island 7-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 10, 10l behind Izita Star (10-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.
Laustra Bad (FR) 9-2 (11-8) With winner, until weakened after 3f out, 3rd of 6, 26l behind I Hear Thunder (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Zahra's Place 50-1 (10-12) Led to before 4th, chased leaders, outpaced when hampered after 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, well behind Santia (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
King Brex (DEN) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leading pair, blundered 4th, ridden to chase leader 4 out, jumped right 2 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 14l behind Professor Higgins (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Pickamus (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 18l behind Tritonville Lodge (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Welcome Stranger 4-6fav (11-6) Pulled early, held up towards rear, headway 4th, chased leader approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out and last, blundered last, not recover, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sou'wester (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun '06.
Basalt (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Made all, clear 3 out and unchallenged, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jul '08 beating For One Night Only (10-12) by 18l, 8 ran.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Fushe Jo (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, effort when mistake 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 11, 8l behind Kealshore Boy (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
King's Revenge 14-1 (10-13) In touch, chased winner 5th, mistake 3 out, nosed ahead before 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Presque Perdre (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Ikorodu Road 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 7th, weakened last, 5th of 10, 8l behind Presque Perdre (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
The Cayterers 17-2 (10-0) Never a factor, 7th of 13, 22l behind Hypnotic Vibes (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan '08.
