always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
led 2nd, headed approaching 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear and keen, headway to lead 3rd, clear 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, hampered 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
led 1st, hung right and headed 2 out, stayed prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, gradually fading when joined line
held up in touch, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on well, joined leader line, very game
held up, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, hit 4th, ridden and lost place 5th, soon well behind, pulled up after 3 out
towards rear and keen, some progress through beaten horses after 3 out
Not a strong race and Marc Of Brilliance is tentatively selected ahead of Bartercard and Pelo De Bief. The selection did not do a lot wrong over course and distance and can be given a chance on his collateral form with Katchit. Bartercard hails from a yard in form so the market is accordingly inspected. Pelo De Bief has to be respected with Richard Johnson riding for Richard Phillips. A middle distance performer in France, he could be anything. Thunder Rock was purchased out of Sir Michael Stoute's yard on the flat but cut little ice with the punters in the betting ring and showed little on the track. Santando ran well for a long way on his latest outing although enthusiasm is dented by the absence of Tony McCoy from the saddle. Raydan showed some aptitude for the surface when handled by John Oxx in Ireland and should not be too readily dismissed. A tough start and Marc Of Brilliance is recommended in the absence of market information.
Bartercard (USA) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 5th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, one pace when slightly hampered last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind The Rocking Dock (11-2) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jun.
Narlen (CZE) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, faded from next, 11th of 21, 34l behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Near Germany (IRE) (9-4) Never in contention, 8th of 12, more than 6l behind Sparkling Ruby (9-8) at Dortmund 1m 1f stk sft in May (Flat).
Raydan (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) In touch on outer, 7th halfway, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 20, 27l behind Warrens Castle (10-7) at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stk gf in Jun (Flat).
Santando 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 10l behind Here's Johnny (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 14, 39l behind Corran Ard (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Marc of Brilliance (USA) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching last, ran on well, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Classic Dream (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Rusty Slipper 16-1 (10-11) Behind, tailed off halfway, virtually pulled up, last of 17, well behind Sound Accord (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Gowna's Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 8th of 16, well behind Raslan (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Pelo Du Bief (FR) (10-1) 7th of 11, 9l behind Paradi (10-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f stk sft in Sept (Flat).
Rathcannon Beauty 66-1 (10-5) Always in rear, tailed off from 6, 7th of 10, well behind Screen Test (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Maximix 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 14, 35l behind Prince Ary (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
