held up towards rear, steady progress from 6th, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, hit 3rd, took closer order 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, soon well behind
led until 2nd, chased leaders until weakened approaching 6th
mid-division until 6th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway from 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
always towards rear
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
jumped left throughout, prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
raced wide, prominent, led 2nd, made rest, clear 2 out, blundered badly last, comfortably
in touch, chased winner after 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
always behind, lost touch from 4th
Grasp, Bayazid and Schumann look the three to concentrate on in the opener and the confident vote is given to Grasp. The selection was a good second behind Dear Villez last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Bayazid rates the main danger as he was sent off favourite on his debut when managing only fifth behind Blazing Baileys. He is sure to have learnt from the experience and should be closely monitored in the market. Schumann is another worthy of respect on his best form but he seems to have regressed in his last two runs so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Kanpai was outclassed last time in a grade 1 race but this contest looks more suitable and he is another to note in the market but Grasp sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
Beare Necessities (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Ile de Paris (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gs in May '04.
Cartier Opera 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 19, well behind Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Jeepers Creepers 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened over 4f out, 10th of 12, 48l behind Mr Ex (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Mortar 50-1 (11-6) Pulled hard, soon tracked winner, led 5th to 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Mr Rhubarb (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after next, 11th of 13, well behind Ellway Prospect (10-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Return Ticket 40-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden after 2 out, never trouble leaders, 6th of 22, 41l behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Schumann 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened before next, 5th of 13, 28l behind Adventurist (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf.
See Me 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3f, ridden over 4f out, weakened quickly, 8th of 11, well behind Billyandi (11-4) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Mar.
Bayazid (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Soon pressed leader, led 5th, headed 3 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 15l behind Blazing Bailey (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Grasp 25-1 (11-2) Held up, closed up to lead 5th, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Kanpai (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always in the rear, tired when jumped left 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Love Beauty (USA) 50-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, no chance from 6th, 9th of 16, well behind Political Intrigue (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jan.
Time To Succeed 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place approaching 4th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Etoile Russe (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Sept, 10 ran.
