in rear, under pressure after 6th, struggling after 9th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, led after 6th to next, led 8th until next, stayed handy, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, eased and pulled up
mid-division, effort after 6th, soon ridden and struggling, well behind when pulled up after 9th
hit 6th, always behind, tailed off
raced wide, held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd flat, not reached winner
raced wide, held up, headway under pressure approaching 9th, driven to chase leader approaching 3 out, led last, stayed on well flat
led to 2nd, prominent, led 7th to 8th, led 9th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
raced wide, chased leaders, led 3rd until after 6th, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off
always behind, ridden approaching 8th, well beaten when blundered 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 9th, led going well approaching 3 out, headed last, no impression and lost 2nd flat
slight lead 2nd until next, stayed prominent, weakening when blundered 9th
raced wide, held up in mid-division, effort and ridden after 9th, no impression on leaders from 3 out
raced wide, held up and always behind
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from next
in rear, ridden and struggling when pulled up after 9th
Nicky Henderson's had a good week, and that can continue here with MAJOR MILLER, but in a wide open contest, support can be expected for the likes of Prof De l'Isle and Charles Street. You ignore runners from the Henderson yard here at your peril, as he's got a 33% course strike rate. Major Miller's only win came in a bumper three years ago, and he's very lightly raced, with this just his ninth run. He had a couple of very promising outings last month though, and a repeat of those showings could be enough to land this. Charles Street, who gives weight away to all bar Strong Rebel, has more than paid his way over the years, but would probably want it a little firmer. However he can't be ignored from calculations. Prof De l'Isle's best run to date was when second here over this trip last March. Since then he's not done a great deal, but there may be more improvement to come. As ever in this sort of contest you want to look at the jockey, most of whom can claim seven pounds. We're leaning though towards Major Miller.
Strong Rebel (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 34l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Charles Street 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 18, 12l behind Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Major Miller 7-1 (11-4) In touch, led 4 out, ridden when headed approaching last on one pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Delayed Approach (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Six Day War (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
On Spec 5-1 (11-7) Towards rear, reminders and brief effort 7th, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Coda Agency (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Old Peak Road (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden before 3 out, always towards rear, 12th of 19, 30l behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 5-1fav (10-12) Mid-division when fell at the 5th in race won by Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Pure Genius (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jaunty Flight (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Toni Alcala 33-1 (10-6) In rear, mistake 2nd, blundered 8th, struggling and losing touch after 9th, plugged on from 2 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 8l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Bally Conn (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden behind leaders 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Nearly A Breeze (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, jumped left 5th, headed when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Arctic Shadow 25-1 (10-3) fell in race won by Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Saint Par (FR) 80-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 6th, left 3rd last, stayed on well to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, disputing 3rd when stumbled next, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Swift Sailor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Dizzy Future 16-1 (11-0) A bhnd; t.o, 7th of 12, well behind Fleur De Nikos (10-7) at Bratton Down 3m ptp frm in Jun.
