chased leader to over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
green and unruly to post, ran green and always in rear
led at decent pace, ridden and headed inside final 3f, no chance with winner inside final 2f but kept on for clear 2nd
held up, headway to track leaders from 10f out, ridden 4f out and soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 10f out, weakened 7f out, tailed off
behind, some moderate headway final 2f, no danger
chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, driven and stayed on same pace final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened and behind final 4f
held up, steady headway from halfway, went 2nd going well over 3f out, led inside final 3f, came clear inside final 2f
mid-division, hard driven 3f out, soon weakened
behind, lost touch final 10f, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway from 5f out, driven and stayed on final 2f, went 3rd just inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden along over 4f out, soon behind
An interesting finale can go to Kimi, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Three Guesses and the Nicky Henderson pair, Jean le Poisson and Treasury Counsel. The selection sets the benchmark here following three good runs, the latest of them being a second to Wichita Lineman over course and distance. Hailing from the Mark Pitman stable, the 32,000 guineas purchase Three Guesses has to be of interest, while the market might provide clues as to which is the better fancied of Nicky Henderson's two runners, Jean le Poisson and Treasury Counsel, although both are of interest. Seal Harbour showed promise when fifth on his all-weather bumper debut and he hails from a good yard so could go well, while, of the others, Chez Bleu hails from a good stable but was cheaply acquired, Headley's stable has been among the winners, Benbridge has something to like on breeding, High Minster gets a mention as he hails from the same family as that grand campaigner of yesteryear, Fearless Fred, and Marlion initially cost 50,000 euros but was then sold cheaply at two. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Kimi.
Chez Bleu Pistolet Bleu gelding out of winning hurdler Tourbelaine.
Headley (IRE) Grand Plaisir gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Kimi (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden well over 2f out, challenged from well over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Wichita Lineman (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (6) gf.
Mister Pink Accordion gelding out of a bumper winning racemare, half-brother to winning hurdler Sir Mouse.
Seal Harbour (FR) 10-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 10l behind Ballykelly (10-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol.
Sukey Tawdray (IRE) Presenting gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Three Guesses (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding, half-brother to 2 winners including smart chaser St Pirran.
Big Palooka Great Palm colt out of winning sprinter Penniless, half-brother to 6f winner Abundant Deeds.
High Minster (IRE) Moscow Society gelding out of an unraced mare.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) Villez gelding, half-brother to a 1m2f winner.
Marlion (FR) Linamix gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Maldoun.
My Mon Amour 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Paix Eternelle (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) Leading Counsel gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Volaire Zaha filly, half-sister to flat and hurdles winner Domappel.
