mid-division until 6th, soon behind
tracked leader, led 3rd, hit 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on
held up towards rear, headway from 8th, not fluent 2 out, soon led, mistake last, driven out
mid-division, ridden after 8th, weakened after next
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off
held up behind, fell 8th
always towards rear
led 2nd until next, with leader, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always behind
mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden after next, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 8th, plugged on, went 4th after 2 out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened after next
in touch, headway approaching 8th, mistake 9th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
This looks pretty competitive but it's impossible to leave Iroquois Warrior off the short-list and he gets the nod from Spring Dream and Very Cool. The selection looked to be out with the washing in a maiden hurdle here last time over 2 miles 1 but Ruby Walsh conjured up an unbelievable late run and he mugged the long-time leader in the shadow of the post. The handicapper could hardly overreact to that performance but considerable improvement should be derived from this step up in trip and he has more scope than most in this field. Spring Dream has run well on all three starts and merits respect, particularly if the market speaks in her favour, but there's a slight doubt as to whether she'll see this trip out as well as others. There are no concerns on that score with Very Cool but he does have an 11lb higher mark to contend with this afternoon and that could be enough to scupper his bid. Useful chaser Kilbeggan Blade has a little to prove over hurdles following his latest display but is worth considering along with Charango Star who is also better known as a chaser. For the winner though, we'll come back to Iroquois Warrior.
Markington 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division until 6th, soon behind, 10th of 17, 11l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Very Cool 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 8th, ridden 2 out, all out, just held on, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan beating Amber Brook (11-12) by a nk, 15 ran.
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, struggling 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly from last to lead near finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Boogie Dancer (9-9) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Devito (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Handy, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Axinit (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gs.
Boyastara (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hit 12th, soon ridden, no chance from 4 out, left poor 3rd 3 out, 4th of 9, well behind Even More (11-1) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Kilbeggan Blade 15-8fav (10-7) In touch, ridden and effort 3 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 14, 19l behind Honour High (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Earlsfield Raider 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sir Peter (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Boulevardofdreams (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Hit 2nd, lost touch 5th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Kornati Kid (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Killing Me Softly 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 13l behind Kinetic Power (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Fairlight Shadow (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) In touch, reminders 11th, outpaced 14th, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Clemax (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Secured (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Commander Vic (11-1) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Ceoperk (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, raced wide of pack early, weakened 4th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Deep Reflection (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Kristoffersen 40-1 (11-4) Behind, struggling 6th, stayed on approaching last, never nearer, 5th of 14, 22l behind Kornati Kid (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
A Toi A Moi (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, under pressure 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Deep Reflection (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Spring Dream (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, led and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, headed near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Butterfly Rose (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Charango Star 4-1fav (11-9) Prominent, blundered 6th, soon lost place, behind after, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Hello Bud (10-12) at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 16 ran.
