held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, led 2 out, hit last, stayed on well
never better than mid-division
prominent, led 8th until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, headway after 9th, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next
with leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
led until 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
always mid-division
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders until 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before last
held up behind, some headway after 9th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, ridden when left 2nd 2 out, stayed on
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed and fell 2 out
A potential minefield with the majority of the field completely unexposed, the market may shed some light on matters. Alfabet Souk and Arctic Shadow have obvious claims but we prefer the look of Herald Angel and Moment Of Magic with the Williams runner preferred. Alfabet Souk won at around this trip at Newcastle and a 7lb rise looks fair with the second going on to win his next start; he should be involved in the finish. Arctic Shadow showed improved form when dropped back in trip at Kempton last time but he had run well enough over 3 miles prior to that to put him firmly in the picture. Those in front of Moment Of Magic at Chepstow are pretty useful and he was a long way clear of the remainder who were not so talented. That run hinted at the possibility of there being more to come and he's now handicapping over a trip that should suit. The yard's in form and his rider has been receiving plaudits this season. The selection showed little on arrival from France and was tailed off on his seasonal reappearance. However, there was a lot to like about his never nearer fifth over 2 miles at Plumpton where he stayed on to some purpose. He's partnered by arguably the best jockey in the race and his trainer's a dab hand at finding the right races for her charges. We expect the well related Herald Angel to run a big race from his low mark.
So Now (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake 2 out, 11th of 16, 49l behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Moment Of Magic (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching next, 5th of 16, 29l behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Bringewood Fox 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, struggling from 7th, 4th of 8, well behind Carruthers (11-8) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) sft.
Blakeney Run 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd until 7th, with leader, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 39l behind Quickbeam (11-4) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) gs.
Millitant Man 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Jaunty Flight (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Sylvan Shack (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Pressed leader to 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last, 5th of 14, 13l behind Cardinal Spirit (11-5) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Vial De Kerdec (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 30l behind Mungo Jerry (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Charlie Poole (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hampered and lost place 6th, 10th of 16, well behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Safin (GER) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, struggling approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, 28l behind Moon Star (11-9) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Arctic Shadow 10-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, finished well, just failed, 2nd of 18, hd behind Munching Mike (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Political Dissent 100-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden 6th, weakened 7th, 6th of 14, 31l behind Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Fermat (FR) 40-1 (11-4) In touch, weakened 4th, 10th of 15, well behind Blackthorn Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs.
Alfabet Souk 17-2 (10-1) With leader, led 8th, headed 4 out, outpaced next, rallied approaching last, ridden and stayed on to lead again flat, won at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan beating Our Jim (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gouranga 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden after 2 out, every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Khadija (11-3) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) sft.
Herald Angel (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 12l behind Ede's (10-8) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Acosta 50-1 (9-13) Led, driven 6th, headed approaching next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Something's Up (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Pedlers Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division until dropped rear 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Munching Mike (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 18 ran.
