held up in touch, headway 4 out, led soon after next, mistake 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure
led, headed just after 3 out, hard driven and rallied next, led last, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, lost position before 4 out, rallied next, soon weakened, tailed off, modest 4th
chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 8th, weakned after 4 out, pulled up after next
in rear, slow 1st, not fluent 6th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up after next
This looks quite competitive as five of the seven declared runners have already won at least once. Courtesy of his two victories at Chepstow, TAPACULO has 4lb extra to carry but is only five and clearly thrives on ground with plenty of give. A hat-trick beckons for Philip Hobbs' promising novice and he's preferred to Taunton scorer Whataknight, though the latter is proven over this 3m trip. Weststreet has also won over 3m but is more exposed than most. Brod Na Heireann makes more appeal than stablemate Dun Bay Creek and also looks a better bet than The Boss's Dream on these terms.
Tapaculo 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, 2 lengths down in clear 2nd when switched right and ridden after next, kept on and every chance when left well clear last, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec beating Deputy Commander (10-12) by 23l, 14 ran.
The Boss's Dream (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Led, hit 4th, pushed along and headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, chased leading duo but no chance before next, weakened into 4th approaching last, 4th of 9, 26 3/4l behind American (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Brod Na Heireann (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair after 3 out, switched outside to challenge next, led between last 2, clear last, ridden out, won at Towcester 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Lakeshore Lady (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
Weststreet (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Led, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, well held between last two, left clear run-in, won at Southwell 3m (4) hvy in Dec beating Ganbei (10-12) by 28l, 4 ran.
Dun Bay Creek 12-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 9th, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind McKenzie's Friend (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Kent Ragstone (USA) 150-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, behind 5th, blundered 2 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Potters Legend (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Whataknight 2-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Taunton 3m (4) gs in Dec beating Rock On Oscar (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
