towards rear, never dangerous
behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
towards rear, tailed off halfway, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
led, hit 4th, headed 3 out, rallied last, led final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, effort after 2 out, 3rd unbeaten when blundered last
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, effort 2 out, no extra run-in
held up in touch, headway to lead 3 out, joined last, headed final 100 yards, no extra
The blinkers are quickly slapped on Karlani in the hope of bringing about improvement, and whilst they had varied success on the flat, we are happy to side with hurdling newcomer St Wilfrid ahead of Silver Steel and Sinatas. An interesting finale, but the selection showed plenty of ability in four bumper runs last year and is proven on varying underfoot conditions. The stable are in good form and with the market likely to help guide to his chances, a big run is fancied today. Silver By Nature should improve for his recent debut, and the drop in trip should suit, whilst Silver Steel is another potential improver after just one start over hurdles. Victorbano is better than he showed last time but this winning point-to-pointer will need further before we are likely to see him winning. Riverhill, a stablemate of the selection should not be ruled out just because of jockey bookings, whilst Karlani must be a threat although quicker ground may suit. A tough race to finish with, but narrow preference is for St Wilfrid.
Bijou Dan 16-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Little Bob (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Nov (Flat).
Champion Lion (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 25l behind Lord Laing (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Cheers Thank You (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up when fell at the 3rd in race won by Alpine Warrior (11-11) at Cartmel 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) gd in May, 11 ran.
Cote d'Argent 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 16l behind Night Crescendo (8-13) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr '06 (Flat).
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) In touch, led after 2nd, headed next, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 13th of 17, 44l behind Cedrus Libani (11-11) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Karlani (IRE) 3-1co-fav (11-0) Chased leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace approaching last, 5th of 18, 7l behind Hue (10-11) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Longy The Lash 200-1 (8-8) Always behind, last of 14, well behind Defi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (6) gd in Nov (Flat).
Riverhill (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Regent's Secret (9-7) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun (Flat).
Silver By Nature 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, edged left and kept on approaching last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Rodrigo Gonzales (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Silver Steel (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and effort 3 out, left in 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 17l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sinatas (GER) 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, every chance approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Moonhawk (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Skipping Chapel 33-1 (11-0) Set steady pace, headed halfway, chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 14, 31l behind Striking Article (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Snowy Day (FR) 9-1 (8-10) Held up, behind when hung left well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11l behind Kilimandscharo (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
St Wilfrid 25-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 29l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (1) gs.
Victorbano (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 5f out, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 18, 9l behind Phoudamour (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Vie A Deux (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, driven over 5f out, soon lost place, no danger after, 6th of 8, 21l behind Keene Spirit (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Nov.
