unruly in stalls, started very slowly, lost all chance start
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, brief effort over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out
with leaders, weakened final furlong
behind, kept on from over 1f out, no danger
in touch until weakened over 1f out
behind, effort 2f out, never able to challenge
started very slowly, lost many lenths start reluctant to race until concented to run on from 1f out never nearer
prominent, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken approaching final furlong
prominent, led after 1f, ran on well
in touch, headway to press leaders and every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken
prominent, ridden 2f out, ran on one-pace
behind, late headway final furlong, never able to challenge
started slowly, always behind
started slowly, outpaced and always well in rear
chased leaders, not much room 2f out, soon switched left and ran on final furlong
In a truly awful race, Janoueix gets a very tentative vote, marginally ahead of Pas De Surprise and Sussex Lad, with Naviasky a reluctant alternative. Although this is a large field, there is very little worthwhile form on offer, so it is just worth taking a chance that Janoueix, who has joined Charlie Egerton's stable from Gerard Butler, can land this over what appears to be his best trip. The key race for him to be selected was when runner-up off a mark of 68 in a Lingfield handicap last February. He was then off the track for nine months, so clearly had a problem. Although he has failed to reproduce that earlier form, he ran better than his finishing position suggested in an amateur handicap at Lingfield in November, as he did not seem to stay the 12 furlongs of that race. He ran badly in a first-time visor on his only subsequent start, but if he retains a modicum of ability he would have to go close in a race such as this. Pas De Surprise is only moderate but ran above expectations when sixth in a claimer on turf at Southwell last time and although unproven over this distance he cannot be ruled out altogether. The booking of Richard Hughes catches the eye on Sussex Lad, but he hasn't won in over 30 starts and is also a doubtful stayer here. Naviasky would be good enough to win this by a furlong on some of his old form, but the horse has clearly lost interest as he has refused to race in his last four attempts so clearly cannot be trusted. That said, if he were to start at big odds he might be worth a risky wager in such a poor race.
