led until headed 2nd and tracked leader, ridden and weakened from 3 out
in touch until fell 1st
mid-division, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on
always towards rear
led 2nd, hit next, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and led approaching next, driven out flat
held up towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last
mid-division, ridden and challenged approaching 3 out, soon one pace
behind, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, not much room approaching 2 out, soon ridden, hit last and one pace flat
Nonrunner
Bogus Dreams won well over course and distance twenty days ago but will have to shoulder a 10lb raise for that win which looks prohibitive, so the vote goes to Masafi ahead of Milagros. The last-named was a fair second behind the rapidly improved Pilca last month, and as a course and distance winner he must go high on the shortlist. However he has been raised 3lbs for that defeat, and whilst the form of that second has since been franked by the winner, he might struggle off this career high mark. Saif Sareea has been running respectably but is now too high in the weights so he is passed over, as is Silvertown who would be a major player on old form but has a long hurdling absence to overcome, although he did have an outing on the flat two months ago so he may still be a danger. Masafi has only had six runs over hurdles and remains unexposed. Whilst he ran moderately last time out on his handicap debut in a much better race, he had shown fair form previously and looks a horse to stay on the right side of. Masafi then gets our vote.
Locksmith 7-1 (11-5) Led to 8th, chased leader, hit next, weakened and blundered 3 out and mistake next, 7th of 9, 43l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Silvertown 33-1 (10-3) Never on terms, 24th of 30, 40l behind Fontanesi (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar '05.
Caraman (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) With leader and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Tous Chez (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Saif Sareea 11-4jt-fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Masafi (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Chased leader, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 11th of 15, 38l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Double Vodka (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, headway after 4 out, challenged next, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 5l behind Gringo (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Millagros (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance when hit last and no extra run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Pilca (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
South Bronx (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, mistake 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Mandingo Chief (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
European Dream (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Raced keenly, held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders when pecked next, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind River Logic (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (2) sft.
Majorca 12-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Sir Night (10-8) by 3l, 13 ran.
Bogus Dreams (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway 2 out, led last and ran on well flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Sir Night (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
