always in rear, driven, struggling 3 out
mid-division, losing place when hit 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, until weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, ridden, headway soon after, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd, blundered last, no chance with winner
held up in rear, ridden, no chance when hit 3 out, tailed off
behind, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on running, but never any chance
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened soon after
chased winner, hit 3 out, lost 2nd under pressure before next, weakened after
chased leaders, effort on outside to chase winner approaching 2 out, driven soon after, no impression when lost 2nd last, weakened run-in, joint for 3rd on post
held up in rear, headway, travelling well approaching 2 out, driven and no impression last, kept on running to force 3rd on line
made all, hit 4 out, 4 lengths clear and in command last, drew clear run-in, comfortably
mid-division, weakened before 3 out, no chance when blundered next
Gary Moore has trained the winner of this race twice in the last six seasons and he has a trio in it today in Heathcote, Pace Shot and Wingman. The latter pair look his best chances this time, while Breedsbreeze will be popular and Ring The Boss is another with chances in a really good handicap contest, and the vote goes to Pace Shot. Mick Fitzgerald is booked for the ride on this five-year-old whose form at this level is solid and who also handles cut well. An easy Hereford win last month after a long lay off will have put him spot on for this and provided he doesn't 'bounce' he can follow up. Presumably partly on account of doing the weight Jamie Moore rides Wingman, who acts on heavy but has a 7lb penalty to shoulder for winning here last time and is not certain to handle that. Breedsbreeze is open to most improvement. He was an easy Chepstow scorer and now drops back in trip. He could be anything, as they say, but is unproven on the ground and is not one to lump on at short prices. Kanad looks decent but would prefer better ground, while Ring The Boss will relish the ground and looks progressive. He gets in with a feather weight and could be the big danger to our selection, Pace Shot.
Overstrand (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) In touch, dropped rear 5th, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 8, 43l behind Hardy Eustace (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Heathcote 33-1 (11-2) Behind most of way, mistake 2 out, 11th of 19, 37l behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Chiaro (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, 16th of 19, well behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, steady headway from 6th, close up when hit 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Merlin's Magic (11-0) by 15l, 16 ran.
Pace Shot (IRE) 4-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased leader 4 out, led briefly 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Mondo (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Kanad 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Nov beating Platin Grounds (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Souffleur (10-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Ursis (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, jumped slowly 6th, dropped rear next, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Hoo La Baloo (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 13-2 (11-9) With leader, led 4th, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Runthatpastmeagain (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Wingman (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led and hit 2 out, strongly pressed from last, driven and held on well flat, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating King's Revenge (11-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, blundered badly next, stayed on well flat, gaining on leading pair near finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mon Michel (10-4) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Ring The Boss (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Made all, well in command 2 out, came right away before last, very easily, won at Newbury 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Stoop To Conquer (11-3) by 10l, 7 ran.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, lost place after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, 6th of 17, 7l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
