prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up, lost place 7th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, blundered badly 9th, not fluent 10th, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, led after last, driven out
chased leaders, blundered 2nd, soon lost place, blundered 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed after last, no extra
tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, outpaced approaching 11th, ridden next, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd after last
led to 7th, behind and struggling from 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened 4 out
always towards rear, weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out
A mediocre start to the card can be taken by COAST OF MALABAR, while Sarobar can emerge as the leading danger. The latter, a John Spearing-trained gelding, was around three lengths adrift of Pelo Du Bief here over course and distance in November. He goes well on a sound surface and sees out this trip, and first-time cheekpieces could help him to go very close. However, we prefer Coast Of Malabar. Rod Farrant's seven-year-old is well worth another try over three miles, having failed to complete on his only other attempt. He shapes as if this extra three furlongs on good ground will be ideal and after a good effort last time we know he is in form, so we'll side with him. Tacinja looks to be in the grip of the assessor, and a better proposition looks to be Hello My Lovely, who will go on the ground and stays further than this, as evidenced by a decent Plumpton run last time. Overton Lad is not out of this by any means based on his Warwick success earlier in the month, though consistency is not his strong suit, and preference is for Coast Of Malabar.
Celian (FR) 28-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 40l behind Chicago Grey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Tacinja (GER) 33-1 (9-7) Sometimes jumped right, held up well in rear, hit 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 26l behind Daraz Rose (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Sarobar (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Made most to 3rd, led 6th to 7th, lost place approaching 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Master Overseer (11-11) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Hello My Lovely 8-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind You Can Of Course (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, headway to chase leader 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Winning Show (10-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Classic Rock 17-2 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Skipper's Lad (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 11-2 (9-12) In touch, ridden and hit 8th, stayed on from 2 out, kept on well flat, not reach leaders, 4th of 9, 4l behind Pelo Du Bief (10-0) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Overton Lad 10-3fav (9-11) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden 14th, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in, 4th of 10, 7l behind Ray Mond (9-11) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Boardroom Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Led to after 2nd, with leader after until weakened approaching 5 out, 6th of 9, 20l behind Pelo Du Bief (10-0) at Southwell 3m hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 3 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 24l behind Friends Of Tina (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Monty Be Quick 66-1 (11-7) Prominent, blundered 4 out, weakened after, 6th of 7, well behind Machrihanish (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (5) gf in Apr '08.
