tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd before next, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, held flat
led to 4th, chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, no chance with clear trio from next, tailed off
pressed leader, led 4th, not fluent 8th, headed narrowly next, lost place and weakening when pulled up approaching 3 out
in touch, pressed leader after 4th, led narrowly 9th, made rest, 2 lengths advantage when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure flat
held up in rear, went 4th 4 out, chased front pair, before next, ridden after 2 out, one pace and well held when not fluent last
in touch on outside, lost place and pushed along before 6th, reminders after next, lost touch 9th, continued tailed off
Present Man is better known as a chaser but did win over hurdles in October and stays well. MR WHIPPED won over 3m between the flags so stepping up in trip after victories at Newbury and Warwick shouldn’t pose too many problems for the Henderson novice, who found more when challenged in a Grade 2 last time. Red River will definitely appreciate this stiffer test of stamina having been outpaced when third last time at Sandown but Wonderoftheworld hasn’t run since October, though has won over 3m1f. Ravenhill Road wasn’t disgraced under a penalty at Doncaster when surrendering his unbeaten record but that form doesn’t look good enough for a race like this, though he may also enjoy the longer trip.
Mr Whipped (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 7th, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, led and jumped right last, idled and edged right flat, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan beating Paisley Park (11-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Present Man (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th until approaching 13th, chased leaders, weakening when hampered 3 out, 12th of 20, dist behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Ravenhill Road (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked winner, ridden before last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind And The New (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Red River (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden well before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 20l behind On The Blind Side (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Wonderoftheworld (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, 5th after 4th, progress to 4th after 6th, no impression and niggled along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 35 3/4l behind Robin Des Foret (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct.
Arizona Bound (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon ridden and behind, 9th of 11, 29 3/4l behind The Road Home (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
