mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, no further impression
mid-division, headway to lead after 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
led until after 7th, soon ridden, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, short lived effort approaching 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
with leader until 7th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 4th
Assuming that the rain doesn't fall in Biblical proportions then Elusive Dream is taken to turn the tables on his Cheltenham conqueror Razor Royale and win today; Souffleur, Zilcash and Lightning Strike are obvious dangers. The selection was tough to beat on the flat and he may prove to be so today with conditions likely to be more favourable than the bog that was Cheltenham last time out. Razor Royal beat him that day but has to race off level weights here and has since suffered a reversal although he wasn't helped by a late blunder on that occasion. Souffleur finished one place ahead of him on that occasion and is highly thought of by his stable; this track may suit better today and he should not be overlooked. Zilcash has shown ability over hurdles without looking out of the ordinary, whilst Gauvain won well at Exeter but this is a step up in class. Lightning Strike comes here chasing the hat-trick and was impressive when winning time out; despite being worse off at the weights with Mount Oscar he is expected to confirm those placings, however it is Elusive Dream who receives the vote.
Elusive Dream 4-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed before next, hung right approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 21l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Gauvain (GER) 5-1 (11-8) Prominent, led after 4th, clear after 5th, eased flat, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs beating Pavillon Bleu (10-0) by 11l, 16 ran.
Lightning Strike (GER) 2-1 (11-7) Tracked leader to 3rd, smooth headway to lead 2 out, clear last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy beating Mount Oscar (11-4) by 3l, 6 ran.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Lightning Strike (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Razor Royale (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, moved closer after 3 out, awkward on landing 2 out, every chance and when mistake last, not quicken flat, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Souffleur 9-4fav (11-7) Held up, still well behind 3 out, moved closer, headway under pressure and hung left approaching last, chased winner flat, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Swordsman (GER) 8-1 (10-12) Jumped well, tracked leader, led before 6th, clear before last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Gauvain (10-12) by 13l, 14 ran.
Zilcash 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Gabier (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft.
Crazy Bear (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 7l behind The King And I (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f app hcp (5) pol (Flat).
