held up, headway 8th, weakened very quickly and slow 9th, pulled up before next
prominent, ridden after 4 out, regained 2nd when hit last, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next
chased leaders until weakened 8th, soon tailed off
mid-division until 8th, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, tracking leaders when went left 4 out, led next, kept on well, pushed out
in touch, ridden after 10th, weakened 4 out
in touch, led briefly approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
prominent, led briefly 6th, weakened quickly after 7th, pulled up before next
mid-division until dropped rear after 7th, soon ridden, never a danger after
made most until after 4 out, ridden when awkward next, soon one pace
in touch, ridden after 10th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
DADA CUP is the first one to note in the betting, while Boytjie and Kinkeel are others worth bearing in mind. The selection has some training fees to repay, as he has endured an interrupted career so far. However, it's significant his connections have kept faith in him and, as he is hardly thrown in at the deep end today, the six-year-old has a solid chance to start making up for lost time. Kinkeel is holding his form well just now and, despite being 1lb out of the weights, he is capable of holding his own in this modest company. The same comments apply to Boytjie, who has very few miles on the clock and, as another coming back from a long break; he should be raring to go this afternoon. It is worth bearing in mind that he was a very fortunate winner the last time he was seen out, though. Others to consider include Wasntme, who may have finished in the money but for a novicey fall at Chepstow last month, while Magot De Grugy is wily enough to negotiate a clear round. He could be good value for each-way punters. However, the betting market may also give the best indications about Dada Cup and he is recommended as the first port of call before any exotic cover bets are considered.
Dada Cup (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 9th, headway before 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Mighty Matters (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov '07.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, headway before 9th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Mr Big (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, blundered 9th, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Anchor Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 10th, plugged on, 6th of 13, 37l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Le Millenaire (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mount Benger (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Marsh Court 28-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 40l behind Aussie Deal (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Gallant Hero 66-1 (11-2) Held up last, ridden 13th, weakenedc 4 out, 7th of 15, well behind Solid As A Rock (10-2) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Miss Midnight 16-1 (11-6) In touch, badly hampered 7th, ridden 10th, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 44l behind Take It There (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Boytjie (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, hit 9th, struggling 13th, rallied 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, left close 2nd last, hard ridden flat, kept on to lead close home, won at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct '07 beating Coeur d'Alene (11-2) by a nk, 7 ran.
Whatcanisay 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 9, 36l behind Rosie All Over (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Wasntme (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, close up when fell at the last in race won by Aheadofhistime (11-7) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Kinkeel (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, 3rd last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
