led until headed approaching and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, beaten after 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, weakened after next
prominent, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge approaching last, every chance flat, stayed on gamely to lead close home (1 hurdle omitted)
held up towards rear, slow 3rd, headway 2 out, chased leaders approaching last, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out
behind, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, soon challenged, headed close home, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, mistake 1st, never dangerous
mid-division, slow 3 out, weakened next
in touch, headway after 3 out, led approaching next, headed after last, stayed on same pace
The Queen’s KEEN ON is a half-brother to the owner’s Grade 3 winner Close Touch and by top jumps sire Kayf Tara. Though a beaten favourite on his racecourse debut in a Perth bumper, he’s expected to leave that run well behind now he tackles hurdles. Darkest Day and Cobaltic are both potentially useful Irish imports while Mount Windsor and Trincomalee are other bumper winners taking part but the former weakened quickly on his hurdles bow. Protektorat kept good company last season after joining the Skeltons but does have a bit to prove now.
Clondaw Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 4th, headed before 2 out, soon lost place, 5th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Dolphin Square (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Cobaltic (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead from halfway, pressed and headed after 2 out, soon pushed along and no impression, ridden and dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 14, 8 3/4l behind Lethal Steps (11-7) at Sligo 2m 2f mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Darkest Day (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Tritonix (11-0) at Down Royal 2m gd in May.
Dublin Four (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, not clear run after 8th, no extra normal 3 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Jatiluwih (12-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Keen On 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and went 2nd 2f out, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Shanroe (11-10) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Jun.
Midnight Sonata (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, dist behind Brecon Hill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Mount Windsor (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led until 2nd, mistake next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 28 1/4l behind Glory And Fortune (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Protektorat (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 7th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (10-12) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Red Charmer (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 33 3/4l behind Calva D'Auge (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
State Vision (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, plugged on, 8th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Imperial Alcazar (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Trincomalee 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, finished well inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Warwick 2m (5) gd in May beating Killer Clown (11-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
On The Wild Side (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, held on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Sep beating Stimulating Song (11-0) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
