held up, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, all out
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra towards finish
held up, not fluent throughout, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leaders, reminders after 4 out, weakened next
led to 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
tracked leader, led 5th, headed after 4 out, ridden and soon outpaced
held up in rear, reminders and weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Master Wells, Cloudy Lane and Miko de Beauchene form the shortlist, with the vote going to the first-named. Master Wells is now six pounds better off for the half-length that Cloudy Lane beat hm over course and distance two runs ago and, although he was disappointing last time, he holds a clear chance on the book and is respected. Softer going today will suit from that last run too. Cloudy Lane is tough, though, and is respected. Back For The Crack has to be of some interest on his debut for from the in-form Nicky Henderson yard, while Miko de Beauchene was far from disgraced behind Be Be King at Grade 2 level at Warwick last time and has to be rated a key player in this contest. Finally, William Butler has shown some promise in bumpers, but it is a big ask to expect him to score on his hurdling debut, and Sue Smith's Sparkling Taff is one who should certainly win races in time, but we do not think that that sequence will start today because the vote goes to Master Wells.
Cloudy Lane 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, edged left towards finish, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Master Wells (11-6) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Miko de Beauchene (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakening when jumped left last, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Be Be King (11-10) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Back For The Craic (IRE) (12-0) pulled up at the 10th in race won by Pointalism (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp in Apr '03, 16 ran.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) 4th of 16, 24l behind Fort Royal (12-0) at Sligo 3m ptp gs in May '04.
Jimmy Bedney (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left 5th, headed when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 41l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sparkling Taff 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed when blundered next, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 17l behind Turnstile (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Times Up Barney 100-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Denman (11-13) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) gd, 7 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden 4f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 6th of 12, 9l behind Dubai Sunday (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Jan.
Master Wells (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, not much room 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Adventurist (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf.
