chased leaders, blundered 1st, tracked leader from 3rd, led 7th, ridden after 2 out, joined and strongly pressed when left clear last, driven out flat
always behind, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, some headway 5th, weakened 3 out
not always fluent, chased leaders, mistake 2nd, 3rd and pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, 3rd next, keeping on same pace and no chance when left modest 2nd last
led until narrowly headed 7th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner before 2 out, upsides and every chance when fell last
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened before next
chased clear leader to 3rd, mid-division until dropped to rear afte 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, hard driven before next, went poor 3rd soon after last
mid-division, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, chased winner 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
held up in mid division, mistake 7th, weakened soon after 3 out
held up towards rear, weakened before 7th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
WISHFULL THINKING will need to win this well under a penalty if he's to stamp himself down as one of the top novices but he may well be up to that billing. Stormhoek could cause most problems with Express Leader also respected. Maggio ran a big race over course and distance to bustle up a Nicholls hotpot but he rather got the run of the race out in front and needs to prove that that wasn't a flash in the pan. Pennellis was favourite for all three starts last year but was a double figure price for his hurdling bow and connections have a stronger candidate in Express Leader who is improving with experience. Russian Song is one to consider at a price if there's any market confidence behind him but stronger form claims are held by Stormhoek who made a pleasing debut at Plumpton. He's respected but one or two of the yard's runners have been needing the run after the big freeze so preference is for Wishfull Thinking who won very easily at Hereford and looks a bright prospect.
Wishfull Thinking 15-8fav (11-0) Held up mid division, headway to lead 3 out, driven and stayed on well approaching last, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Court Red Handed (11-0) by 7l, 16 ran.
Beyond Moonbeams 12-1 (10-9) In touch after 1st, disputing 4th approaching 3 out, 7th approaching last, 8th of 16, 41l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Ethiopia 50-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Silver Kate (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Express Leader 5-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, led 1st, mistake 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Grands Crus (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, soon lost place, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 22l behind Saintly Lady (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Maggio (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2 out, stayed front rank, hit last, rallied into 2nd soon after, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Pennellis (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Quiet Bob (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along 8th, struggling from next, 9th of 11, well behind Stoney's Treasure (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 5th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 27l behind Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Russian Song (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Valentine Vic (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Sean Thornton (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th approaching 3 out, 6th approaching last, 6th of 16, 35l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Stormhoek (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Raced wide, close up, headway to track leading pair 9th, not much room and bumped 3 out, every chance when rider dropped reins next, found no extra last, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Quartano (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Loana Shell 10-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, 39l behind Mintiverdi (10-9) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) gd in Feb.
