held up mid-division, weakened before 6 out, tailed off
chased leader, led 10th, pressed 3 out, headed before last, kept on and always held
towards rear, pushed along before halfway, effort 4 out, never dangerous
led to 3rd, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, joined leader 8th, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, reminders halfway, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway before 6 out, soon challenged led before last, held on well
behind, effort before 3 out, never dangerous
close up, led from 3rd, headed 10th, weakened after 4 out, soon tailed off
mid-division, headway before 5 out, ridden before last, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along 12th, pulled up before 6 out
First-time blinkers appeared to work the oracle with Worthy Farm when the Nicholls inmate revealed a doughty attitude to repel the persistent challenge of Broadclyst over course and distance on Boxing Day. He's up 5lb here but that was only a third start over fences and he should have more to offer, especially if the headgear proves equally effective now. One Of Us looks decently treated on a first start since November and Moving In Style could prove a leading player from the foot of the weights after an excellent effort at Newbury latest. However, the choice is THE KINGS WRIT. He's been harshly raised 5lb for his latest Exeter runner-up effort but the overall level of his form reads well and trip and ground will suit. The concern is his yard has gone over a year without a success which tempers confidence somewhat. The one to note in the market is David Pipe's recent French import Elan De Balme.
Wandrin Star (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Towards rear, hampered 1st, headway 15th (canal turn), outpaced and no impression after 3 out, 8th of 18, 27 3/4l behind Walk In The Mill (10-8) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
The Kings Writ (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Slight lead, narrowly headed 4 out, chased winner, held when hit 2 out, no extra last, 2nd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Captain Drake (11-9) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Coningsby 12-1 (11-8) Unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Pop Rockstar (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 18th, struggling 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, dist behind Potters Corner (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
Reikers Island (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Close up, jumped right 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 18l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Commodore (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, jumped left at times, led 6th, headed 4 out, lost place 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Darlac (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 16th, 11 lengths 6th when fell 4 out, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Worthy Farm (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway on outside after 15th, led 4 out, ridden when hard pressed between last 2, kept on under pressure, just held on, all out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Broadclyst (11-4) by nk, 11 ran.
Elan De Balme (FR) (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
One Of Us 9-2 (10-3) Always prominent, went 2nd 13th, hard ridden approaching 2 out, led before last, all out, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Captain Cattistock (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Moving In Style (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Hampered 1st, prominent in chasing group, 3rd before 12th until 16th, chased leaders, 3rd again 4 out, well held when left 2nd at the last, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cyclop (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Led, soon pressed, headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Hugo 'n Taz (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
