held up, headway 7th, chased winner after 3 out, still 9 lengths down 2 out, ridden, hung left approaching last, stayed on flat, always held
in touch in chasing group, lost place 7th, no chance when hampered 2 out
in touch in chasing group, pushed along after 5th, lost place next, headway approaching 2 out, no further progress
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 2 out, no impression on leading pair approaching last
in touch in chasing group, chased winner 6th until after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased clear winner, jumped left 2nd and 3rd, lost 2nd when hit 6th, soon struggling
held up, headway to dispute 4th and staying on when fell 2 out
made all, soon clear, 9 lengths ahead 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on gamely flat
Westender is best in at the weights judged by official BHB ratings but Martin Pipe's gelding has not been at his best this term and is difficult to recommend and a safer bet looks to be Mighty Man, who is preferred to Sporazene and Prins Willem. The selection stepped up on previous form when beating the progressive The Market Man by a head in the Relkeel Hurdle over a furlong extra here last month with Prins Willem a further six lengths behind in third place. While the third is entitled to strip fitter for the outing, there was plenty to like about the way the selection won that day and he is fancied to confirm that form. Dancing Bay is becoming frustrating, while The French Furze seems to reserve his best efforts for Newcastle and a bigger threat may come from Alan King's Howle Hill. The five-year-old is less exposed than some of his rivals and may be going the right way now. Sporazene has claims on the pick of his form but he has not shown that for some time now and a safer bet looks to be Mighty Man, who gets the verdict.
Mighty Man (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Held up, headway after 8th, ridden after 2 out, ran on to lead last strides, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl (B) gs in Dec beating The Market Man (11-4) by a hd, 6 ran.
Prins Willem (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch, took closer order 8th, ridden approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Mighty Man (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Westender (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 2nd, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Dancing Bay 14-1 (11-2) Held up rear, steady headway when fell 4 out in race won by Attorney General (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Howle Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, every chance from 3 out until after 2 out, one pace flat, 5th of 19, 6l behind Lingo (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Marrel 66-1 (10-9) Behind, effort 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 11, 41l behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Sporazene (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Prominent and not fluent, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 9, 46l behind Harchibald (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
The French Furze (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) With leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Arcalis (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Nov.
It's The Limit (USA) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, mid-division, ridden and headway approching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Natal (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd in Dec.
