held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway 6f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders until 4f out
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon hung left, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
It is often worth taking note when Carl Llewellyn rides one of his own bumper horses so therefore we will side with Strategic Approach ahead of The Big Orse and Fal Agh Bagh. The selection comes from a good family and is related to several winners so this son of Bob Back may be capable of going in at the first time of asking, assuming that the market speaks in his favour. Paradise Regained needs consideration especially as Alan King has provided plenty of bumper winners so far this season, whilst Fal Al Bagh should have come on for his racecourse debut but may need further in time before he is winning. Mongoose Alert and De Welsh Wizzard both need scrutiny in the betting, along with Diamond Daffodil whose stable are in good form and do have the occasional bumper winner. At a price The Big Orse could go well with the form of his first run at Newbury looking solid, however he may just need the run and so we will instead side with Strategic Approach to land the finale.
Devenish Lad (IRE) Anshan gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Mr Dow Jones.
De Welsh Wizzard Karinga Bay gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Strain The Rein.
Diamond Daffodil (IRE) Clerkenwell gelding out of Miss Red Devil.
Fal Agh Bagh (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led 3f out until 2f out, chased leading pair until over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 14, 16l behind Big Eared Fran (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Java Victory (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of an unraced mare.
King Ar Aghaidh (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Raced green, chased leaders, driven along over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 18l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov '06.
Matako (FR) Nikos gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Verdadero.
Mongoose Alert (IRE) Oscar gelding out of an unraced mare.
Paradise Regained (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway from 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 13l behind Midnight Sail (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) gs.
Rock Salmon Silver Patriarch gelding out of winning jumper The Lady Scores.
Strategic Approach (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of an unraced mare.
The Big Orse 50-1 (11-4) Behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 22, 4 1/2l behind Helens Vision (10-8) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
