mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and outpaced after 6th, stayed on from 3 out, ran on strongly to lead close home
led, bumped on bend and headed approaching 3 out, led and hit 2 out, all out and headed flat
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and mistake 3 out when weakened
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, squeezed through on inside rail 3 out, headed 2 out, hard ridden under pressure to lead flat, headed close home
prominent and jumped badly right 1st, ridden and weakened 3 out
hampered and unseated rider 2nd
jumped badly right and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, jumped left and mistake 3rd, tailed off when ran out 4th
in rear, jumped badly right 2nd, never a factor
in rear and hampered 1st, mistakes and weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened
tracking leaders and hampered 1st, hampered again 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
Previous winners Classic Dream and Jimboreal may fight out the finish here and preference is for the first named, Impostor may be the best of the newcomers. Brendan Powell's charge recouped losses from his debut second and jumped more confidently, having reportedly jumped too carefully on his debut after schooling well at home. The experience will not be lost on him and he can defy his penalty. Jimboreal could be anything, he landed a decent looking hurdles event in France and is now with a top yard. Meanwhile Impostor was a decent enough type on the flat, reaching ahigh of 79. He will have been well schooled and should be monitored closely in the market. Pigeon Island may be best of the others having shown promise in two decent contests, however Classic Dream looks to have plenty of scope for more improvement and he gets the vote.
Altilhar (USA) 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 30l behind Poquelin (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Classic Dream (GER) 5-2 (10-12) Made all, not fluent 2 out, ridden after last, all out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Leamington Lad (10-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Jimboreal (FR) (10-3) Held up, headway 3 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Enghien 2m 3yo hdl in Nov beating Isnos (10-3) by 1l, 16 ran.
Laustra Bad (FR) (10-6) 4th of 9, 23l behind Klassical Way (10-6) at Enghien 2m 1f ch in Dec.
Art Historian (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, 1 length up when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Caliman (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, chased winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Tritonix (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Dark Planet 13-2 (9-4) In touch, pressed leader 3f out, soon ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 9l behind Lady Romanov (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
Impostor (IRE) 17-2 (9-4) Took keen hold in touch, chased leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Spinning Coin (10-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept (Flat).
Intersky Music (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division until weakened after 5th, 10th of 15, well behind Pauillac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Monte Major (GER) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, headway to chase leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, hampered and left in lead inside final furlong, soon headed, ran on, 2nd of 7, shd behind Go Amwell (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Pigeon Island 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 17l behind My Petra (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Remember Ramon (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway 3f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 7l behind Dr Sharp (9-7) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct (Flat).
Ebony Lady 14-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Liberate (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Investment Pearl (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, kept on without threatening from 1 1/2f out, 8th of 23, 20l behind Deauville Vision (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn hvy in Oct (Flat).
Peephole 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to 6th, 10th of 11, 49l behind Freeze The Flame (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
