mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, led last, driven out
prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 4th, weakened 6th
held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, one pace from last
held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra
held up last, some headway 6th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led 5th until ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from last
held up in touch, headway and chased leader 6th, weakened quickly 2 out, pulled up before last
led to 5th, soon ridden, weakened 6th
held up towards rear, ridden 6th, stayed on one pace from 3 out
Cunning Pursuit has a great chance of adding to his debut success, with Space Star, Grand Prairie and Kathie's Pet seen as three possible dangers. Cunning Pursuit was no great shakes on the level, but landed a touch in minor company at Folkestone in September, and as he popped in first time over hurdles at Wincanton in December, he obviously does not mind the winter game. His trainer has found a soft opportunity for him to follow up as this is a conditional riders contest, and as long as the going does not get any softer, he should make a bold bid to follow up. Space Star was having his first outing since last June when second here last month and should come on for the run. He does have tendency to find one too good though and cannot be followed with confidence. Grand Prairie has struggled a bit since going up the weights, while Kathie's Pet was having her first run over hurdles for over three years when scoring in selling company at Chepstow. That is her level and she will struggle a bit even in this company from out of the handicap. The four-year-old Cunning Pursuit is relatively unexposed and has more chance than most in the finale.
Space Star 12-1 Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Manorson at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Nabir (FR) 6-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 16th of 20, 35l behind Errol at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Jan.
Brochrua (IRE) 4-1 In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 6th of 13, 16l behind Pequenita at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gs in Feb.
Cunning Pursuit 7-2 Chased leader, led 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec beating Rood Boy by 2l, 10 ran.
Tizi Ouzou (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened next, 10th of 14, well behind Cashel Dancer at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Feb.
Gregorian (IRE) 11-2 Held up, some headway on outside approaching 5th, lost place before 3 out, no danger after, 6th of 8, 27l behind Dere Lyn at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) hvy in Feb.
Leopold (SLO) 11-2 Tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 4th till headed 6th, ridden over 3 out, weakened from next, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Hold The Line at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Nov.
