held up in mid-division, headway on bit to chase leaders 6th, challenged after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, soon quicken clear, unchallenged
led to 5th, ridden 6th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, mistake 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon no chance with winner
mid-division, good headway after 5th, soon led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up last, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
prominent, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, weakened quickely after 5th, pulled up before 6th
It will be interesting to see what the ex-German Ladino does on his belated first start for Phillip Hobbs but lack of a recent run is of obvious concern so preference is for Mars Rock, who gets the vote ahead of Megaton. The last mentioned ran promisingly on his first start for over a year over course and distance last month but this may come too soon so he is probably best watched. Tom George's Thenameescapesme needs to improve on all known evidence to trouble the judge here, while Bucks was well beaten on his hurdling debut. Temple Place, who had ability on the flat, may be better than he showed on his hurdling debut and has to be considered with Ginger McCain's stable in good form but the vote goes to Mars Rock. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding showed decent form in bumpers and, with the stable's horses in good form right now, he looks the one to beat.
Bucks 13-2 (10-11) Behind from 7th, 13th of 14, well behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Ladino (FR) Won three times on the flat in Germany, last ran at Maisons-Laffitte in Sept '04, unplaced in 1m2f app stks.
Mars Rock (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place before halfway, soon behind, tailed off, 18th of 19, well behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (A) gs in Nov.
Megaton 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, chased leader and effort after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 14, 17l behind Princelet (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Temple Place (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 15, 32l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Thenameescapesme 50-1 (11-5) Rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next, 8th of 14, 35l behind Idris (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Honorary Citizen 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, weakened 4f out, soon eased, 10th of 11, 40l behind Pharaoh Prince (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Oct (Flat).
Golden Crew 40-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 5th of 15, 12l behind Secured (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Jan.
