led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
chased leader, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, held up behind, headway well over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on
always towards rear
held up behind, ridden well over 1f out, soon edged left, weakened entering final furlong
always behind
mid-division on outer, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
OBE ROYAL can confirm last week's form with Ice Planet and is selected to land this tricky seller. Cap St Jean and Don Pietro are also worth considering as shortlist material. The last named sets the standard on the BHA ratings and is holding his form well just now. However, he does have a tendency to race with the choke out and often has very little to offer at the business end. Therefore, he may again be vulnerable to a sucker punch. Cap St Jean is closely matched with Hamaasy and it would be an intriguing match-bet between them. Reg Hollinshead's charge is better suited to the trip, so again gets the nod in that personal battle. Ice Planet (winner of a valuable handicap at Ripon in 2005) has dropped almost 30lbs in the ratings since his glory days and appears to be in freefall. Still, this is his grade these days and it may simply be a matter of time before he pays his way once more. However, Obe Royal had his measure when they met here last week and, as he is effectively 2lb better off today, it's the David Evans-trained gelding that edges the nomination this afternoon.
Don Pietro 20-1 (9-5) Chased winner, ridden and every chance from 1f out, unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Kipchak (8-13) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Jan.
Kingsmaite 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway on outer 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Suhayl Star (10-1) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In rear, switched left over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Back In The Red (8-13) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jan.
Cap St Jean (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, just held near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Lethal (9-0) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Don Picolo 25-1 (8-8) Always rear division, 12th of 14, 21l behind Blue Charm (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Follow Your Spirit 33-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, kept on until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Tuxedo (9-0) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Hamaasy 5-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lethal (9-0) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Ice Planet 9-1 (8-2) Behind, never on terms, 5th of 8, 6l behind Tender Process (8-7) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Last of The Line 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride and outpaced, 13th of 16, 18l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-10) at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Mount Usher 66-1 (8-10) Prominent, effort halfway, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 22l behind Clear Sailing (9-1) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Obe Royal 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Royal Envoy (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Singleb (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Jord (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 21l behind Hucking Heat (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Hurricane Coast 7-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, lost place 3f out, last of 12, 9l behind King of Legend (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
