led, not fluent 1st, headed 3rd, pressed winner until mistake 3 out, one pace from next, mistake last
tracked leaders, blundered 7th, went 2nd 3 out, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, readily held flat
took keen hold, held up, closed 2nd, lost place before 6th, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, lost touch approaching 6th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, lost place before 7th, still in touch before 2 out, soon outpaced
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 5th or 7th, headway after 3 out, no extra before last
held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent next, mistake 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, not fluent 1st, led 3rd, not fluent 4th, mistake 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up and soon clear, easily
Bladoun looked certain to score on his hurdling debut at Chepstow but fell at the last and hasn't done as well in subsequent races. He may need another confidence booster but point-to-point winner Best Boy Barney ran really well when attempting to make all at Newbury last time, only succumbing late on and staying on quite strongly. He's likely to make this a stamina test, which should suit SOUND INVESTMENT. He's progressing slowly but surely and travelled well for most of the way behind Puffin Billy at Newbury in November, suggesting this longer trip would be in his favour, so he's handed the vote. The remainder have shown little and will need to improve.
Best Boy Barney (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and pressed from 3 out, kept on well until ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace and no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Chatterbox (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Bladoun (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, effort approaching next, soon outpaced, stayed on to go 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 16l behind American Life (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Broken Eagle (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Raced keenly, led, headed over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Evergreen Forest (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep '11 (flat).
Drumadoon (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always in rear, struggling 4 out, behind when pulled up next, in a race won by Accordingtopalm (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Long John 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 21l behind Billy Dutton (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Louxor Des Mottes (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division on outside, closed 6th, lost place 8th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Hollow Penny (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Ordensritter (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Led to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 11, well behind The Romford Pele (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Sound Investment (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner flat, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Puffin Billy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Anton Dolin (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always behind, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Poet (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
