prominent, going well 2 out, shaken up approaching last, every chance flat, not quicken
held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, quicken up well to lead close home
prominent until ridden 2 out and weakened
in touch, ridden when brought down 3 out
with leader, ridden when left in led after 3 out, not fluent last, headed close home
prominent, ridden when brought down 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, soon ridden and onepaced
led and keen, hit 3rd, driven along when mistake and fell 3 out
held up mid-division, steady headway approaching, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up rear, brief effort 3 out, soon onepaced
held up, closing on leaders when slightly hampered 3 out, not quicken
prominent, soon lost place, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Jaboune, Caracciola, Downpour and Showpiece all hold Cheltenham entries. Caracciola was put in his place by the very useful Lord Sam at Kempton but that was a slowly-run affair and might not have ideally suited Nicky Henderson's runner. Downpour, twice an AW winner on the Flat, won well at Hereford back in May but this is tougher. Hasty Prince just got the better of Desert Air (ran in good event at Kempton on Friday) and has to be given consideration. He was a decent 10f Flat handicapper. Pepe Galvez has put in some respectable efforts but this is a little tougher. High Hope is a 10/12f Flat winner in France and here on the AW. He was just over three lengths behind Caracciola when they met over c/d in December and is now 5lbs (less good rider's 3lb claim) better off. Yvanovitch was well held in fifth that day. Normal improvement should see him competitive but he might struggle to reverse form with Caracciola. Showpiece won three times on the Flat for Willie Haggas (at 12f, good, god to firm and standard going) and it is interesting that trainer Charlie Mann has chosen to run him here. Flyover has won three times on the Flat, at a fairly modest level but around the 10f trip. However, she has not run for over 500 days and would be difficult to fancy anyway. Milly's Filly is well bred and her dam won on the Flat (over 12f), over hurdles and in chases. However, she did not show too much on her hurdling debut. Jaboune is by far the most experienced of these and has won four times over hurdles. He forms the benchmark for the form and is the danger to the selection, Caracciola.
