prominent, chased leader after 3 out, led narrowly last, driven and held on under pressure run-in
never going well in rear, mistake 4th and next, soon tailed off
held up and always in rear
chasing leaders when blundered and fell heavily 6th
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out
held up in rear division, steady headway before 2 out, upsides last, strong challenge run-in, just held
in touch, badly hampered 6th, no chance after
raced in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, tailed off
held up, steady headway approaching 2 out, upsides when hit last, not quicken run-in
in touch until ridden and outpaced form 3 out
held up in mid-division, effort to chase leading pair after 3 out, weakened before last
chased leader, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
started slowly, soon in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no chance when blundered 2 out
raced freely, led, hard ridden 2 out, headed and stumbled badly last, unseated rider soon after
held up towards rear, stayed on approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
Cool Monty reverts to hurdling on a potentially lenient mark but may not have the pace to cope with Pretty Star who is preferred to Kjetil. The last mentioned has been a disappointment for trainer Paul Nicholls this term but it is interesting that he perseveres with the five-year-old who has been given a two-month break and may be best caught fresh. Martin Pipe's Geton has been given a break since running below expectations on his handicap debut here in December and may be better than he showed that day. He is preferred to stablemate Nick The Silver, who steps up in class. Kim Bailey's Front Rank has been in consistent form this term and is entitled to be thereabouts again, while Aldiruos is progressive but has another rise in the weights to overcome and he may find this harder than the races he has been contesting of late. Coustou, at the bottom end of the handicap, is another worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Pretty Star who looks to be potentially well treated for his handicap debut and should appreciate this longer trip.
