led, reminders on paddock bend after 6th, clear and pushed along after 3 out, headed and weakened well before last
never travelling always in rear, pushed along and struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway from 6th, chased leaders 3 out, challenged for 2nd before next, weakened before last
chased leader until hit 3 out soon weakened and eased tailed off, pulled up soon after
mistake 1st, mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up soon after
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, hung right before 2 out, soon one pace and no impression
chased leaders, outpaced and ridden 5th, rallied under pressure from 2 out, went 2nd final 110 yards, no chance with winner
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened soon after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd final 110 yards
held up towards rear, headway appraching 2 out, never reached leaders
soon in rear, struggling after 6th, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 8th, led before 2 out, clear when wandered approaching last
Nonrunner
Many out of the handicap with the top weights standing their ground and TRENCHANT is taken to see off Strawberry and Merrydown. It was a good weekend for Alan King last week and while his horse has been called a few names in the past; he has shaped as if this trip might be an ideal halfway house for him and he does get on well with rider, Charlie Huxley, who is able to claim 3lbs. Strawberry is with a handler who does particularly well with mares. Having obliged at Folkestone and Kempton, she disappointed badly at Ascot two weeks ago. That would have to be a worry although the fact that Nicky Henderson turns her out again so quickly is a sign that any problem cannot have been particularly serious. Merrydown looks an improving hurdler. Granted, this is one of his toughest assignments to date but he did not disgrace himself in two decent Novice events at Aintree and Punchestown. Tough is a word that can be used to describe Lough Derg. He seldom runs a bad race and while the evergreen ten year old is hardly the best handicapped horse in the world off a mark of 161. Tony McCoy will be doing the stoking today. Arcalis has been on the downgrade for some time. In fairness, he did run well in the County Hurdle but the application of visor at this stage is interesting, especially as the yard took the Cleeve Hurdle last week. Racing Demon seems best watched at present. The well bred Erzen is an interesting participant. He lacks the experience of the others though caught the eye with a very encouraging effort at Kempton on Boxing Day. Alderluck would be interesting if there is any overnight rain. Beshabar drifted like a barge on his first run for Paul Nicholls and ran accordingly. The trainer was very vocal in his lack of confidence about the horse on that occasion and it will be interesting to see what view the market takes this afternoon. Ashkazar has ability though seemingly is not without a few mental issues. Trenchant is the pick.
Lough Derg (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Slight lead until narrowly headed before 4th, stayed front rank, not fluent 7th, challenged next, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 32l behind Tidal Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Trenchant 20-1 (11-12) In touch in mid-division, ridden on left under pressure, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 7l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-155 (2) sft in Dec.
Arcalis 33-1 (10-8) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 28l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Ashkazar (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Early reminders, always behind, 12th of 17, 32l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Strawberry (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leader, lost place 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sweetheart (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Merrydown (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 12l behind The Midnight Club (11-6) at Punchestown 3m nh nov hdl sft in Apr.
Racing Demon (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression approaching next, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 20l behind Mamlook (10-1) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Erzen (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Behind, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance last, kept on well, 2nd of 19, nk behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Strategic Approach (IRE) 9-2fav (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway going well approaching 2 out, led before last, strongly pressed and hard ridden flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Money Order (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Chief Yeoman 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Micheal Flips (10-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Silk Affair (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) 3rd early, 4th halfway, dropped to 7th under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 5th of 11, 12l behind Voler La Vedette (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) in Dec.
Alderluck (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Lost place after 2nd, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Beshabar (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, reminder after 5th, headway after 8th, left 2nd 3 out until approaching 2 out, not flent 2 out and soon weakened, 4th of 8, 30l behind Synchronised (11-2) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Magic Sky (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 7th, went 2nd next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gainly flat to lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Aldertune (10-11) by nk, 11 ran.
