with leader, mistake 2nd, chased clear leader after 4th until 6th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, struggling in moderate 6th, approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly from last to lead near finish, driven out
mid-division until weakened after 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no further impression from next
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, nearest finish
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, went 15 lengths 2nd 5th, ridden to close on leader after 3 out, lost 2nd near finish
mistake 3rd, lost touch 5th, tailed off
in touch until weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led, hit 4th, 15 lengths clear next, ridden after last, caught near finish
This looks the weaker of the two divisions and narrow preference is for Ghallab ahead of Iroquois Warrior and Tuskar Rock. Phillip Hobbs' debutante was steady is unspectacular on the flat last year when trained by Ed Dunlop. Now under the care of one of the top jumps trainers it is reasonable to expect that better may be to come in this sphere. It may be that he will need further in time but with Richard Johnson in the saddle he could make a winning debut. Also hoping to make winning debuts will be Mae Cigan, Cove Mountain, Diego Velasquez and Boogie Dancer, but none of those newcomers appeals as much as Poseidon's Secret. Charlie Mann has his horses in fair form and whilst the horse was no great shakes on the flat, he may do better over obstacles. Tuskar Rock holds some fair form from two outings to date, whilst Iroquois Warrior hasn't shone on his two runs over timber. Master Overseer cannot be dismissed due to his stable's present form. An open race then where the betting will help, however it is Ghallab who we fancy to score.
Genari 10-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 6th of 12, 23l behind Popcorn Rosie (10-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Ghallab 28-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, weakened 3f out, 14th of 15, 36l behind Bauer (8-6) at Newbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun '06 (Flat).
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 32l behind Shining Gale (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd.
Lord West 40-1 (11-2) Led, headed 6th, ridden and weakened 7th, 8th of 12, 33l behind Traprain (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr '06.
Mae Cigan (FR) 17-2 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 3l behind Hibiki (8-5) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct (Flat).
Master Overseer (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 31l behind Folie Dancer (10-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Poseidon's Secret (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Always behind, never a factor, 9th of 13, 17l behind Rehearsed (9-13) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Timynomates (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Keen behind leaders, mistake 5th, lost action and pulled up 4 out in race won by Classic Gold (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) frm in Nov, 6 ran.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 3-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 10, 12l behind Blinded Bythelight (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Who's Winning (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always behind, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Song of Songs (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Cove Mountain (IRE) 28-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never a factor, last of 10, 14l behind Montemayorprincess (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs (Flat).
Red Perfection 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, jumped right 2nd, ridden 3 out, one pace, 7th of 15, 12l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders in 4th, driven along and lost place halfway, 6th 4f out, weakened from under 3f out, eased before straight, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Common Charisma (9-0) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd in Aug (Flat).
Boogie Dancer 25-1 (8-6) Soon led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Electric Warrior (9-7) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol (Flat).
