tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, driven 9th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear
disputedly led after 3rd, headed 6th, weakened 8th
in touch, closer order 6th, ridden to chased leaders and outpaced 3 out, chased winner in vain 2 out, not fluent last
disputed lead, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
in rear, not fluent 1st, reminders soon after, weakened 8th
keen, joined leaders 5th, weakened after 7th, lost touch when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, blundered 2nd, behind from 8th
Nonrunner
A straight forward choice between French Envoy and Mikado and we will go with the last named. Its worth noting that Mikado finished fifth in the St Leger in 2004 on Good To Firm going and while he never quite achieved all that he promised on the level, Mikado ran a solid enough race behind Buster Collins last Sunday afternoon and compensation awaits. French Envoy is not without quirks. This is an easier assignment than his recent Sandown race and the market is accordingly watched. Forest Dante is an exposed chaser who is just about at the pipe-and-slippers stage of his career. He has only ran once over hurdles but it is difficult to see him beating his younger rivals. Izzyizzenty has shown some aptitude for racing albeit on a softer surface. Backers are chancing the ability to handle the going if making him their selection. Sun Hill is a winner over middle distances on the level and could be open to some measure of improvement. The remainder have hopeless tasks on all known evidence thus far and are readily opposed. The fast ground has meant little strength in depth and we side with Mikado.
Mikado 4-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 7th, ridden 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, edged left last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Buster Collins (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
Forest Dante (IRE) 13-2 (10-3) In touch, headway approaching 4th, soon led, headed last, weakened, 4th of 11, 9l behind Robbo (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
French Envoy (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Killaghy Castle (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Izzyizzenty 11-1 (10-13) Behind, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 12, well behind Stagecoach Diamond (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Nettleton Flyer 150-1 (11-2) Prominent and keen, jumped slowly 1st, weakened quickly after 7th, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Briscoe Place (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Sun Hill 25-1 (11-2) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Manners (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Kossies Mate 100-1 (10-5) Prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Prestbury Knight (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Roseville (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd, 12 ran.
The Langer (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Led to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 40l behind Hot 'n' Holy (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
