led, headed approaching 3rd, led again 4th, headed and hit 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner flat
held up, not fluent 1st, never dangerous
mid-division, headway on outside 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
pulled hard, led approaching 3rd, mistake and headed 4th, weakened after next, blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened well before 2 out
held up in rear, no chance from 5th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 1st, reminder approaching 3rd where badly hampered, behind after, tailed off when pulled up before last
always prominent, ridden and every chance last, kept on one pace flat
mistakes, held up in touch, hampered 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, badly hampered 3rd, jumped right 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, mistake last
held up, no chance from 5th, tailed off
always prominent, reminder approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well
held up, not fluent 1st, ridden and no chance from 5th
Metaphoric is sure to be a warm order but we'll take Prideus to lower his colours. Linlithgow, Fredo and Hope Road are three each-way alternatives. Metaphoric was backed into favouritism at Ascot in a race that was won by leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Binocular but proved very disappointing and was well beaten. He had shaped well on his debut when narrowly denied at Huntingdon but looks worth taking on at cramped odds. Prideus won despite the heavy ground over course and distance last time, where Fredo and Hope Road were amongst those behind, and he looks to have the scope to go close again despite his penalty. Hope Road, Morning Farewell and Fredo may fare better once handicapping but Bantry Bere should run his race and could make the frame again. There wasn't a great deal of market confidence behind Linlithgow on debut and he got not further than the first but isn't dismissed. Two runners stand out in this field and we'll side with Prideus.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 11-8fav (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Bertie May (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Prideus (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Trump Call (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Amazing Request 6-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 4th, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 32l behind Maraafeq (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 21l behind Songe (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Beau Bramble 25-1 (8-8) Soon in mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 12l behind Rhapsilian (8-12) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Born West (USA) 8-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, led over 4f out, headed and edged left inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ronsard (10-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Chunky's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division ridden when hit 5th, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 44l behind Sweetheart (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Diamant Rose (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Not always fluent, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 44l behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Fredo (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 4th, outpaced 3 out, no danger after, 4th of 9, 10l behind Prideus (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Haar 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, reminder 5th, headway approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 10th of 14, 37l behind Chance du Roy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hanbrin Bhoy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 12, 40l behind Mamlook (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Hope Road 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out took 2nd last, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Sweetheart (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Linlithgow (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Prominent when unseated rider in race won by Osolomio (11-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 16 ran.
Metaphoric (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 17l behind Binocular (10-12) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Morning Farewell 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, under pressure 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 14l behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs.
Oakley Heffert (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, hung left, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Princess Cocoa (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol (Flat).
