not fluent 1st, ridden 5th, always in rear, lost touch approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
led until after 2 out, regained lead last, stayed on gamely
held up, headway 4th, led after 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, lost touch approaching 6th, pulled up after 6th
held up, not fluent 4th, headway 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on flat
prominent, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
chased leader, not fluent 4th, not fluent and lost 2nd 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
There is little to choose between Classic Chic and Earlsfield Raider on running at Leicester last month when Don McCain's gelding came out on top by two-and-a-half lengths and there should not be much between them here but both may have to settle for minor honours behind COVERT MISSION. The David Evans-trained gelding has plenty in hand on official BHA ratings and having run better in this grade at Ludlow last month, he looks the one to be on. George Baker's Sparkling Montjeu has been running consistently well in better races than this and has solid claims off a decent racing weight in this grade. Tabaran is a rare runner in this grade for Alison Thorpe and he has to be respected but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Classic Chic looked to be good value for his defeat of Earlsfield Raider at Leicester and looks the main danger to the selection, Covert Mission.
Brandy And Pep (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Mostly 5th /6th, lft 4th 4out, ko but no impr on ldrs, 3rd of 17, 17l behind Session Or Ression (12-0) at Ballydarragh 3m ire ptp in Nov.
Superfly 25-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Whats Up Bob (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun, 17 ran.
Classic Chic 16-1 (10-9) Made all, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f 4yo clm hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Earlsfield Raider (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Covert Mission 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Shore Thing (11-12) at Ludlow 2m Claiming Hurdle (4-7) (4) sft in Nov.
Earlsfield Raider 15-8fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Classic Chic (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f 4yo clm hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Hosanna Rock 20-1 (11-7) 4th when fell 9, in a race won by Durnovaria (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m ptp gd in May, 8 ran.
Tabaran (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, led after next, headed when hit 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 19l behind Genari (10-10) at Ludlow 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 16l behind Home (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Just Chrissie 150-1 (10-0) In rear, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when jumped badly right 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Hibiki (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan '08, 14 ran.
Dancing At Dawn (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace, 7th of 9, 12l behind Team Chaser (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar '07.
