held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again from last
hampered on bend after 5th, always towards rear
led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, ran on well
mid-division until weakened 3 out
mid-division when fell 6th
mid-division, blundered badly 5th, weakened after 3 out
always towards rear
mid-division until weakened 3 out
in touch, hit 5th, weakened 3 out, hit next
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd soon after last, always held by winner
always behind
mid-division, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
A wind operation has seemingly worked wonders for FONT who has been spoken of in glowing terms by his trainer. Blue Bajan and Leslingtaylor are others that should go well. The selection was a frustrating sort on the level for James Fanshawe and continued in the same vein over hurdles until trouncing a competitive field in a well contested series final at Cheltenham. The handicapper has had his say but the gelding should be able to rank a good deal higher. The handicapper has also handed out meaty rises to Blue Bajan and The Polomoche. The latter is well regarded but it's difficult to see what he's done to be rated within a pound of the winner of the Swinton who has also been placed in a Grade 2; that said, his connections ensure he's respected. Leslingtaylor also has a Swinton win to his name and he's well enough handicapped to believe that he can be a factor on a track that should suit. County Zen beat Blue Bajan off levels last November and finished in front of him in the Totesport Trophy but the wheels came off after that as they also did for Sentry Duty following his win from Celestial Halo. Pigeon Island and Alsadaa are honest sorts with no secrets whilst Roman Villa could be the sort to make the frame at a price. It's difficult to envisage any of that trio winning though and Font is expected to make the headlines.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 4-1fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May beating I'm So Lucky (11-0) by 8l, 24 ran.
The Polomoche (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, challenged after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct beating Bishop's Bridge (10-13) by 6l, 17 ran.
Pigeon Island 16-1 (11-8) In touch, driven approaching 2 out, no impression, 6th of 7, 18l behind Snap Tie (11-5) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Alsadaa (USA) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, hit 1st, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-8) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Sentry Duty (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Prominent, in front 2 out, headed and 2nd before straight, soon no impression under pressure, weakened run-in, 10th of 25, 13l behind Brave Right (10-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Raced keenly in touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 5th of 16, 8l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Working Title (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Mid-division and keen, weakened approaching 2 out, 17th of 24, 25l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Font 10-3 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, soon led, in command last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct beating Noble Alan (11-8) by 4l, 20 ran.
Pearl King (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind French Opera (11-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
County Zen (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 17, 44l behind Mous Of Men (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Always prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, regained lead just after flight, ran on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Motorway (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
King's Revenge 9-1 (11-9) In touch, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 16, 16l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Roman Villa (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake 8th, headway 2 out, driven and no extra after last, 5th of 10, 8l behind Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd in Oct.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Raced on inside, in touch, not fluent 8th, struggling before next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by How's Business (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) With leaders, led 3rd, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 24l behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Apr.
King's Head (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, headway after 3 out, led before last, ridden clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept beating Winsley Hill (10-13) by 3l, 10 ran.
