chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, edged left approaching last where not fluent, stayed on under pressure to press winner flat, held towards finish
led until approaching 4th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out, mistake last
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4th, headway next, challenged 2 out, soon switched right to join leader, led flat, driven out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, blundered last, no extra flat
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten last
took keen hold in rear, raced wide from approaching 3rd, headway 4th, led 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no extra
held up, not fluent 3rd or 4th, reminders approaching 5th, weakened soon after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, carried left 2nd, mistake 5th, soon pushed along, outpaced approaching 2 out, never able to trouble leaders
Numide is well treated but has been frustrating to follow, so this may rest between Open de L'Isle and MAJAALES with preference for the latter. Tom George has his string in decent order and Majaales acts with cut which adds strength to the case behind him. The gelding was a shade disappointing last time but this drop in both trip and class can see a return to the sort of form that saw him take second in a decent race in January, a performance that merited this 5lb higher mark. Open de L'Isle has claims despite the fact his form figures of late don't read very well. That can be put down to the fact that James Ewart's horse isn't as good over fences as he is over the smaller obstacles and a 6lb rise for his latest win over timber seems fair. That came on heavy ground so there are no concerns about his ability to act with cut, whilst Harry Haynes continues to impress in the saddle. His mount is regarded as the chief threat to our selection ahead of Numide, despite the fact Gary Moore has had a couple of winners of late. His charge was very decent on the level and looked set to transfer much of that ability to the winter game when running well in graded company as a novice and then taking the Greatwood Hurdle in his second season. He's now 5lbs below the mark he ran off that day but that's owing to a number of poor efforts this term and he can only be watched at present, although market support would undeniably make him more intriguing and in fairness this ground is what he wants. Good Old Thyme seems best suited by a big field and strong tempo which might be unlikely under these conditions, so this six-year-old is taken on this time along with Zafranagar who steps up in class and may be found wanting. Indian Groom has work to do with Open de L'Isle, Tyson has shown nothing since returning from an absence and Calatagan has struggled lately, so this is best left to Majaales.
Indian Groom (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, effort 2 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 29l behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place 5th, soon struggling in rear, no danger after, 5th of 7, 29l behind Kilmackilloge (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Majaales (USA) 11-1 (9-4) Close up on outside, effort after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th and no impression when hit last, 7th of 16, 10l behind Beshabar (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Good Old Thyme (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from 2 out, 14th of 28, 22l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Calatagan (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Ridden 10th, always behind, 12th of 19, well behind Pigeon Island (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Numide (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Led to before 2 out, soon weakened, 18th of 23, well behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Tyson (SAF) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, fell 4th, in a race won by County Zen (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Zafranagar (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Behind, pushed along approaching 3out, headway and not fluent next, soon ridden, led just after last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Synthe Davis (11-4) by nk, 11 ran.
