held up in 4th, went 3rd and hit 3rd, tracked clear leader next, closed after 3 out to lead before 2 out, headed last, not quicken run-in
led chasing group to be poor 3rd, struggling and no chance after 3 out
took keen hold, raced in 3rd, went 2nd before 3rd to next, ridden and closed after 3 out, one pace and beaten before next
held up in 5th, closed going well to track leader before 2 out, switched left and led last, kept on well run-in
in rear, ridden and looked reluctant after 3 out, closed under pressure to track leading pair and hit 2 out, one pace and no impression when hit last
allowed 25 lengths lead start, 50 lengths clear 3rd, came back to field and weakened after 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out
The 2003 Champion Hurdle winner Rooster Booster has been unfortunate not to have won previously this term but looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account for the season and is taken to do so at the main expense of Royal Shakespeare and Self Defense. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding may again have to make his own running but that should not prevent the 11-year-old from being too good for his rivals who look to lack the class of Back In Front and Harchibald, who have beaten the son of Riverwise in his last two starts. Royal Shakespeare has claims on a line through Harchibald and got bogged down in the mud at Haydock last time. He rates a bigger threat than Martin Pipe's Copeland who has given little sign of encouragement this term. Howard Johnson's Chivalry has failed to sparkle in two starts this term but it may be too soon to write him off and the six-year-old has to be respected as does Self Defense, although he looks fully exposed now. Rooster Booster has the best form in the book though and is taken to give weight away all round.
Rooster Booster 3-1 Led, 25 lengths clear after 4th, came back approaching 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, weakened and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Harchibald at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Copeland 7-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Inglis Drever at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 4-1 Held up in rear, hit 4th, ridden and headway when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 40l behind Inglis Drever at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Self Defense 14-1 Mid-division, ridden and stayed on strongly from 2 out, hit last, kept on close home, 2nd of 23, 4l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Chivalry 33-1 Towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, hard ridden and beaten when hampered 2 out, 17th of 23, 24l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Cool Roxy 15-2 Led, ridden after 3 out, headed next, kept on under pressure last, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Lord Of Beauty at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Nov.
