chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
raced keenly, led, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, beaten next, weakened flat
chased leaders, pushed along after 6h, not fluent 2 out, kept on, went 2nd towards finish
always towards rear, well beaten before 3 out
chased leader, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, headed before last, led again soon after last, driven out
held up towards rear, hampered 2nd, headway after 6th, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, headed soon after last, lost 2nd towards finish
Goa Lil has the highest handicap mark having won at Kempton recently and should have the measure of Group Stage and El Picador on these terms with the latter penalised for an earlier success over track and trip. But the former finished behind runner-up THYME WHITE (NAP) at Kempton in December and Paul Nicholl’s charge is taken to confirm running and go one better in this. The Dancing Poet made a winning start over hurdles with a victory at Catterick though Anna Bunina is rated higher than the latter on the Flat and debuts over timber today.
El Picador (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon rallied, kept on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Never Do Nothing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Goa Lil (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Made all, stayed on gamely from 2 out, in command when hit last, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Lord Lamington (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Group Stage (GER) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Botox Has (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Three Castles 10-3 (10-12) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and found little approaching the last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Beat Box (10-12) at Newcastle 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Thyme White (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Led, clear after 1st, went left 3rd, hit next, reduced lead approaching 3 out, joined next, ridden between last 2, headed last, not quicken run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Rowland Ward (10-12) at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Anna Bunina (FR) 11-4fav (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Wolf Prince (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Sister Midnight (IRE) (9-1) won at Le Pin Au Haras 1m 3f mdn stks sft in Oct beating Ridisia (9-1) by 3l, 8 ran.
The Dancing Poet 9-4 (10-4) In touch, went 2nd after 3 out, driven to lead between last 2, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Briardale (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
