keen, in touch, headway to lead after 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, 2nd and beaten when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden and placed after 3 out, stayed on again from next, left 2nd briefly and hampered last
close up, struggling 4th, behind after 3 out, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd near finish
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, ran on, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, stayed on
held up, hung right under pressure from 3 out, some late progress, never dangerous
led, jumped big until 3rd, headed soon after, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when left 4th last
Nomecheki is the most interesting horse in the race and the market should prove to be informative but we'll award our vote to Bay Hawk and nominate Mujamead as one that could go well at a price. The selection has been progressing well at a modest level of late but he looks ready for this step up in grade as he won in taking fashion last time. The handicapper hasn't been too harsh on him and he should run his race. Nomecheki has been handed an entry in the County Hurdle and he will need to be winning this race from a mark of 115 to stand a chance of getting into that contest. He was unbeaten in two runs on the Flat and one over hurdles in France in 2006 and could be an exciting prospect. Tony Carroll won this race in 2006 and Mujamead has done really well under both codes since joining his yard; this is his toughest assignment to date but it would be folly to dismiss him. This is competitive and few are ruled out but Bay Hawk ticks a number of the right boxes and is awarded the vote.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Chapoturgeon (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Cockatoo (USA) 11-1 (10-4) Mid-division, beaten approaching 3 out, 15th of 20, 17l behind Mous Of Men (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Jazz Dance (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, smooth headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan beating Daraybad (11-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Noble Raider (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 6l behind The Entomologist (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '06.
Bay Hawk 2-1 (10-8) In touch, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Tavalu (11-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Khazar (FR) 15-2 (11-1) Held up, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Bay Hawk (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Mujamead 10-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd from the 6th, led after 3 out, clear from next, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Keen Warrior (10-13) by 7l, 10 ran.
Distiller (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and beaten when badly hampered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Fredensborg (11-9) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, took keen hold, steady headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Sir Peter (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up 4 out in race won by Busy Henry (11-6) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
