held up, in touch, headway from 3 out, led last, ran on well
held up in rear, headway 2 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon led, headed last, no extra
held up in touch, led 3 out, headed approaching next, weakened
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, kept on same pace final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, lost place approaching 2 out
led until 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, effort 3 out, gradually weakened
OGEE sets a stiff standard for the others and we select him at the principal expense of Shore Thing and Quechua Des Obeaux. A winner at Uttoxeter, the Robeson charge confirmed the impression of a fair run behind Punchestowns at the back end of last term and on that recent evidence, he looks to have improved for a few months' break. Shore Thing has to give away a winners' double penalty. Well campaigned by his trainer, he'll need to be smart to see off the penalties. Quechua Des Obeaux has been spoken of as a useful recruit by Phillip Hobbs in the various stable tours. In receipt of plenty of allowances, she will be getting almost a stone from the previous British winners. Berkeley Castle had fair form on the level for Sir Michael Stoute but an American adventure clearly didn't work out. Subsequent runs on the flat have yielded very little fruit. Theatrical Moment has proved a bitter disappointment for his punters in Novice events and is not one to trust. Viable was well beaten in previous forays over hurdles. Ex-French handicapper, Right Stuff, is closely monitored in the market. A good race and Ogee is the selection in an event that will throw up plenty of future winners.
Shore Thing (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, led last, challenged when soon left clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Parkview Love (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
Dark Energy 11-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner after next, ridden and kept on flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Baguenaud (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Sept.
Ogee 2-1fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to lead 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Last Flight (10-4) by 15l, 13 ran.
Berkeley Castle (USA) 33-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, lost place over 3f out, last of 12, 31l behind Broken Moon (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 6f mdn hcp (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Drizzi (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, well behind Marsh Court (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Oakbridge (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, not fluent 1st or 6th, headway approaching 7th, beaten 3 out, 7th of 12, 42l behind Winter Star (12-0) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Right Stuff (FR) 3-1fav (9-7) Behind, headway and effort 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Taikoo (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sept (Flat).
Rocky Ryan (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, mistake 7th, weakened after, 9th of 13, well behind Bremen (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Sam McCoombe (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, effort 5th, ridden and struggling when badly hampered 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Pop (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, 4th approaching 3 out, soon lost place and no extra under pressure, 11th of 24, 25l behind Kalahari King (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl gd in Apr.
Viable 13-2 (11-0) Led, clear after 3rd, hit 5th, driven when fell 2 out in race won by Cursum Perficio (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug '07, 14 ran.
Quechua des Obeaux (FR) Ungaro filly out of Diese D'estruval.
