in touch, outpaced after 4th, ridden next, chased winner after 2 out, stayed on, no impression
led, headed and mistake 4th, reminders and soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened 4th, not fluent next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner after 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 2nd
held up mid-division, good headway 4th, hit next, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, in 3rd and weakening when hit last
held up, hit 4th, some headway next, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, clear after 3 out, blundered next, pushed out
held up mid-division, struggling after 3rd, soon tailed off
prominent until weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Victorias Groom deserves to get his head in front and this looks a good opportunity for him to do so, with Maneki Neko, Gidam Gidam, Orpen Wide and Daldini all out to stop him Victorias Groom was placed twice on the Flat in Germany, and since coming over to go jumping, has continued to be in the money in each of his four starts. The form of his last two outings could not have worked out better, with Detroit City going on to land the Triumph Hurdle and Shamayoun also successful at the Cheltenham Festival. Quite simply there is nothing of the calibre of those two here, and it will be a surprise if Victorias Groom does not finally break his duck. Maneki Neko has also been placed regularly but not at the same level as the selection, while Gidam Gidam will be anchored by his penalty. Orpen Wide shaped well enough on his debut at Stratford, and with Sue Smith's runners always to be feared here, Daldini is worth a mention. However, they will all do well to stop Victorias Groom from opening his account.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) With leaders, led approaching 2nd, hit next, headed approaching 4th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on again from next, 4th of 15, 10l behind The Duke's Speech (11-9) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Not jump well in rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs, 14 ran.
Bilkie (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 5th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 11, 21l behind Heathcote (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
City of Manchester (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 12, 31l behind Burnt Oak (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Daldini 7-1 (10-12) Chased winner to 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 6th of 12, 32l behind Gardasee (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
In Dream's (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 9, 8l behind Olival (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) Chased leader to 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 17l behind Young Mick (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Maneki Neko (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Lerida (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Neardown Bishop 50-1 (9-0) In touch until weakened 4f out, 12th of 13, well behind Sea Wall (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May (Flat).
Orpen Wide (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, close up when hit last, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Son of Sophie 25-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 6f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 28l behind Dextrous (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn clm (7) fbs (Flat).
Victorias Groom (GER) 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Shamayoun (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Water Pistol 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 5th, 7th of 14, well behind Opera de Coeur (11-8) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Ngauruhoe (IRE) 50-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 17l behind Bayard (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Mighty Fella 250-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened after 4 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Lerida (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Power Glory 150-1 (10-12) Towards rear, behind and fell at the last in race won by Afsoun (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb, 10 ran.
