led, headed 2nd, mistake next, weakened halfway, soon tailed off, slow 6th, pulled up before next
reluctant to start, slowly away, in rear, reminders 3rd, ridden halfway, behind 6th
close up, ridden and weakened after 6th
tracked leaders, ridden 6th, weakened next
tracked leader, chased clear leader 2nd, ridden 3 out, flattend next, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra
held up, reminders 3rd, headway 6th, went 3rd next, challenging when short of room approaching last, driven and every chance flat, led final strides
close up, reminders 4th, ridden 6th, outpaced next, headway approaching last, led narrowly flat, headed final strides
keen led 2nd, clear halfway, reduced lead 2 out, hung right and headed approaching last, kept on one pace
reluctant to start, slowly away, always in rear
This is TRUE BLUE SAGA's first appearance in a seller and he would take all the beating if able to reproduce the decent form he showed for Francois Doumen in his younger days. Today's better ground should suit the six-year-old, who can concede the weight to Stravita. Jim Best's mare could only finish fourth to Brilliant when favourite over C&D in October but ran better when second at Plumpton earlier this week and should reverse earlier running with Debra Hamer's charge, who returns from a break. Last year's winner Nous Voila is 7lb higher this time around but still looks the pick of the remainder.
Cherokee Story 33-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, led 2nd to 4th, hung right and reminders soon after, chased leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Bromhead (11-5) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 7 ran.
True Blue Saga (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden after 5th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 9, 49l behind Dormouse (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Nous Voila (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Chased leader until approaching 3rd, weakened after 3 out, last of 7, well behind Orang Outan (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Art Man 28-1 (10-4) Mid-division on inside, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 22l behind Arrayan (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Brigadore (USA) 22-1 (11-7) Always in rear, tailed off after 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Just The Job (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Brilliant (GER) 4-1fav (10-6) With leader, hard driven 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 11, 43l behind Just The Job (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Mad Professor (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) In rear, not much room 2nd, pushed along after 5th, jumped slowly 7th, behind 9th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dis behind Phar Again (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
A P Ling 50-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up last, in a race won by Molly Round (10-7) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Simplified 16-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 25l behind Brilliant (10-7) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd in Oct.
Stravita 8-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up last, headway to chase leading pair 6th, chased winner after 3 out, driven and tried to challenge before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Little Roxy (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
