mid-division, good headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led soon after last, driven out
tracking leaders when fell 4th
mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, hampered last, virtually pulled up
mid-division, badly hampered 4th and lost place, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 4th next, weakened last
hit 3 out, stumbled badly 2 out, mainly towards rear
in touch, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed soon after last, kept on
in touch, mistake 4th, effort approaching 2 out, weakening approaching last
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
behind from 4th
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from next, 7th but held when fell last
prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 4th last, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider last
prominent, ridden after 3 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, went 4th approaching last, no extra
Scots Dragoon, Pagano and Call Oscar head the short-list with Mind How You Go, Nike Walker and Important Business next in line. We'll put Call Oscar forwards. The selection is due to race from a 5lb higher mark in future having narrowly failed to land a gamble at Exeter. That was his first outing in two years so there must be a danger that he could bounce and that certainly tempers confidence. On the plus side, he proved that he retains his ability, is unexposed and should improve for this longer trip. Pagano may have topweight but he has more to offer as a handicapper and is feared. He has to prove he stays this far though and there are some unexposed sorts in the field. Scots Dragoon is also well in here and is a horse on the upgrade. There's no reason as to why he won't run his race but this is a good deal more competitive than the races he's been winning. It's interesting to see Jamie Moore partner Mind How You Go rather than Important Business or Almizan; John Best's campaigner has a decent strike rate over hurdles but isn't obviously well handicapped. Nike Walker's latest run was too bad to be true and he'd be of keen interest if the money arrived but we'll take Call Oscar to take the honours.
Pagano (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Chased winner throughout, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Chapoturgeon (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Mind How You Go (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pipped 5th, led and hit 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened next, 5th of 10, 20l behind Nycteos (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Almizan (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and effort when hampered 8th, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 33l behind Cave of The Giant (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Lincoln's Inn (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Behind, headway 7th, tracked winner 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Gustavo (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, weakened, 6th of 10, 25l behind Pamak D'airy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
Stellenbosch (USA) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd next, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Grey Brother 25-1 (11-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Irish Legend (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 17 ran.
Gold Ring 20-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 11, 21l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov '06.
Ellway Prospect 11-1 (11-5) Held up, blundered 5th, ridden 7th, struggled on, 5th of 11, 19l behind The Very Man (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Call Oscar (IRE) 17-2 (10-6) In touch, jumped left 3rd, ridden and headway 3 out, every chance last, kept on, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Important Business (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance last, kept on, 2nd of 22, 1/2l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Hereditary 12-1 (11-6) Behind from 6th and pulled up 5 out in race won by New Team (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and mistake 1st, slow 5th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 13, 48l behind Pocket Too (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Held up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 31l behind Karathaena (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Jontys'lass 16-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Our Jasper (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan '07.
Scots Dragoon 11-4 (10-4) Always prominent, chased leader 9th, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Gustavo (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hot Lips Page (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 4 out, 14th of 18, 25l behind Chinara (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 13, 15l behind Something's Up (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Nike Walker (FR) 15-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 40l behind Stradbrook (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
