raced keenly, held up in touch, went 2nd 2 out, led on bit last, drew clear flat, easily
led, driven after 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner
chased leader to 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, held up in touch, mistake 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, prominent, not fluent 2nd, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakening when mistake last
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, behind when mistake 5th
held up in rear, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up well in rear, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 4th, weakened under pressure 3 out, left moderate 4th last
held up in rear, headway when hit 5th, soon pushed along, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 15 lengths down when fell last
Celestial Halo and Binocular stand out in this field although it must be said that First Buddy won tidily at Bangor. Our vote goes to Binocular. The last three winners of this race finished first or second at Cheltenham and that trend is likely to be continued. JP McManus left Franchoek to take on Celestial Halo at Cheltenham and he was readily brushed aside in the end but Binocular ran so well in the Supreme Novices's that he would surely have gone close if he'd been allowed to take his chance. Both are high class horses and are closely matched on the book but we've a suspicion that Binocular will be better suited to this track. Harper Valley has claims but has a bit to prove as does Star Of Angels but it was hard not to be impressed by First Buddy at Bangor. Admittedly, the form is light-years away from that of the main protagonists but he appeals as the type that could run a big race today. It's hard to see him getting the better of the front two in the market though and, of that pair, we're going to side with Binocular.
Binocular (FR) 8-1co-fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4th, led after 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 22, 2l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led 2nd, made rest, hit last, kept on strongly flat, driven out close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar beating Franchoek (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Chord 50-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place after 2nd, pushed along 3rd, mistake 4th, soon weakened, 17th of 22, well behind Crack Away Jack (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
First Buddy 9-4 (10-11) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, clear when hit last, eased flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Tamimi's History (11-0) by 16l, 14 ran.
Harper Valley (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Act Sirius (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Lupanar (IRE) 10-11fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead last, jumped awkwardly and ran on flat, won at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Cornelia (10-10) by 5l, 16 ran.
Make Haste (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and behind approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Serabad (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Quilver Tatou (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 23l behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Star Of Angels 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never nearer, 5th of 14, 11l behind Celestial Halo (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Pagan Starprincess 7-2 (10-1) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner after, every chance before last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Ignotus (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
