tracked leader, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, jumped left last, ridden out
held up in rear, some moderate progress from 4 out
held up in rear, headway after 7th, close up when mistake 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, headway after 7th, ridden to lead 4 out, mistake 2 out, headed soon after and weakened approaching last
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed approaching 4 out, one pace
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden next, soon weakened and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, some headway after 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in rear when mistake 1st, weakened 5 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
held up and keen in touch, weakened soon after 6th
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
In a decent event, Be Be King gets the call ahead of Biscar Two, Killaghy Castle, Miko de Beauchene and What'sonyourmind. The stronger of Paul Nicholls' two entries for the race, Be Be King created a good impression when scoring at Huntingdon last time and, much as he has never encountered going like this, the track will suit and he has to be given every respect. Biscar Two's course win over a shorter trip last time rates as very decent form and he has to be given serious thought, while Lingfield winner Miko de Beauchene disappointed at Sandown last time but he had looked good in Surrey and has to be considered today. Killaghy Castle's Folkestone second last time has been boosted by the third, Glasker Mill, winning since, and, a three-parts brother to Alexander Banquet, Navan bumper winner, What'sonyourmind showed enough on his hurdles debut behind High Day to be respected here. Alformasi will need to step up on his debut effort, as will bumper winner Billesey on his chase performance last time. Absolutelythebest's form thus far would not seem good enough. Ocean Of Storms was rated 76 on the Flat back in April 2004, but others are preferred by us today and, finally, The Sawyer has shown some ability, Winter Sport has shown some promise but this looks a pretty tough assignment for both, as it does for Nagam, although he certainly showed improvement last time. Overall, though, our choice is Be Be King.
Be Be King (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Close up, ridden and every chance and hit 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd in Nov beating Wee Robbie (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Biscar Two (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up rear, soon ridden along, jumped left and hampered 3 out, headway when jumped left 2 out, led last, just held on, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy beating The Luder (11-2) by a nk, 11 ran.
Killaghy Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, drew clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Snakebite (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 11-4fav (11-1) Towards rear, some headway under pressure after 3 out, 5th and no chance when jumped left 2 out and weakened, 8th of 12, 30l behind Nor'nor'east (11-0) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) hvy.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 31l behind Miss Pebbles (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Alformasi 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, driven along and some headway halfway, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 15, 22l behind Red Georgie (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in May '04.
Billesey (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up, slightly hampered and fell at the 2nd in race won by Villon (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (E) hvy, 10 ran.
Financial Future 13-8fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, led well over 2f out, ridden, edged right over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mac's Elan (8-11) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) sft in May (Flat).
Nagam (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4th, led 6th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 13, 9l behind In Accord (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Virtually refused to race, last of 8, well behind Out For A Stroll (8-8) at Salisbury 1m app hcp (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Sharajan (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, chased leader and every chance over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 17, 10l behind Massimo (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gs in May '04.
Silent Dream Alflora gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Silent Cracker.
The Sawyer (BEL) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance from 3 out, kept on well close home, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs.
What'sonyourmind (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Went left start, mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after next, hit 2 out, one pace, 4th of 17, 18l behind High Day (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov.
Winter Sport (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up in rear, moderate headway final 2f, never in contention, 7th of 12, 22l behind Ice Tea (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Lucky Turf (IRE) 10-1 7th of 10, 39l behind First Down Jets at Dromahane 3m ptp gs in Jan '04.
