led, ridden 3 out, headed, run-in, one pace
jumped left throughout, always towards rear
held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, behind when slipped on bend after 4 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, outpaced halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied next, kept on from last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, struggling halfway, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, ran on to lead run-in
held up, effort halfway, never dangerous
held up in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, struggling halfway
Plenty of runners but plenty of deadwood and we will take Akarem in preference to Regal Heights, Cineman and Hezaam. Akarem was a useful sort in Ireland for Kevin Prendegast and was rated in three figures on the level. Proven on heavy ground, he can make amends for two recent near misses. Regal Heights has some solid bumper form in the bag. He has not shown too much over hurdles but is dropped back in trip. Cinema was placed in races over hurdles at Autueil and could be open to improvement. Hezaam stayed up to 1m6f on the flat. He produced his best efforts when allowed to dictate matters upfront so it will be interesting to see if similar tactics are utilised here. Hue could be given a chance on his third to Dont Call Me Derek last year but that good form seems an awful long time ago. Lethem Air produced his first glimmer of hope when finishing fourth in a recent Newcastle contest at 200/1. Officially rated as 81 - it would be a disappointment if there was not anything better than that mark in this afternoon's contest. Akarem is open to most improvement and he is nominated accordingly.
Akarem 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, improved into 2nd after 2 out, soon challenged and every chance, no extra when slight mistake last, 2nd of 21, 4l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gs in Dec.
Auenmoon (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, soon behind pulled up 4 out in race won by Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 20 ran.
Baffling Secret (FR) 50-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 4th, no impression from 3 out, 6th of 15, 21l behind Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Bishop's Brig 100-1 (10-7) Held up, struggling 5th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Hard Act To Follow (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Fiddlers Creek (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 15th of 18, well behind You Do The Math (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f amt hcp hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Galahad (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, towards rear when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Harmony Brig (11-5) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
Hezaam (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Bethanys Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 45-70 (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Hue 14-1 (11-7) Held up, hit 2nd, headway after 3 out, in 6th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 13th of 16, well behind Sunday City (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
It's No Easy (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, 7th of 20, 32l behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Lethem Air 200-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 15, 6l behind Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Lucky Largo (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened from approaching 3 out, well beaten when fell at the last in race won by Estepona (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf, 13 ran.
Matthew My Son (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, 32l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Red Cedar (USA) 100-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 19l behind Motive (10-8) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Regal Heights (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 14, 24l behind According To John (11-4) at Ayr 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Saw Doctor (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Always behind, ridden 6f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 29l behind Tippeenan Lass (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f nhf gf in Aug.
Cinema (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Camden Bella (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Political Pendant 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden from 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 13, 12l behind Ile Maurice (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Imlaak 18-1 (8-13) In touch until halfway, 8th of 9, 38l behind Hard Top (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
