held up towards rear, headway 10th, switched right after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, mistake 8th, headway 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
hampered 1st, soon in touch, mistake 8th, soon dropped rear, behind when pulled up after 10th
mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, led after 14th, rider dropped whip soon after last, soon headed, stayed on
in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 12th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out
led, headed after 14th, weakened 4 out
mid-division on outside, well behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 10th
held up in rear, some headway 14th, soon weakened, no chance when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 12th, challenging 4 out, led flat, driven out
held up mid-division, headway 11th, ridden 14th, weakened after 3 out
prominent, not fluent 8th, lost place after 10th, soon in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 14th, mistake 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
prominent, every chance 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
always in touch, every chance 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
tracked leaders, weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, not fluent, jumped right 1st, driven along in rear before 5th, never on terms
A valuable pot and a good turn out for the Tom Wragg Trophy which may be claimed by CALGARY BAY on this occasion. Exmoor Ranger and Gypsy George figure prominently on our short-list. The selection clearly has a few questions to answer and is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time but few who were present at Cheltenham on New Year's Day will have forgotten the impression that he created that day. This is a relatively unusual step for his cautious trainer to take with a horse of such potential and the move can be rewarded. Exmoor Ranger was still travelling well in the Jewson when falling three from home and is able to line-up from the same mark here. His jumping deficiencies have to be addressed but his first chase success came over this trip at Exeter; he's clearly on a fair mark and remains a horse of some potential. Gypsy George pulled up in the Welsh National when quite well fancied and again disappointed at Doncaster at the end of January. However, his yard are in fine fettle at present, he's unexposed and is unbeaten over course and distance. Kings Euro looked promising but has something to prove after a light campaign, Russian Around, Roulez Cool and Present Glory are all progressing but will find this more competitive whilst there are one or two others with claims on the pick of their form but Calgary Bay is arguably the class horse in this line-up and is taken to cement his reputation.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 29l behind Pepsyrock (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, outpaced approaching 11th, 4th of 8, well behind Tartak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Battlecry 33-1 (10-10) Prominent halfway, soon behind, 16th of 40, well behind Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Fundamentalist (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 21st, in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Roulez Cool 33-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 12th, went 2nd going well before 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, easily, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Night Safe (10-11) by 6l, 12 ran.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 11th, close up and travelling well when fell 3 out, in a race won by Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Kings Euro (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Chased leaders until 12th, soon struggling, weakened 15th, 10th of 20, 29l behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
Kelami (FR) 200-1 (10-5) In touch early, behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Beeches Brook), in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Pak Jack (FR) 66-1 (9-9) Behind, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, no danger, 8th of 19, 9l behind Monkerhostin (10-13) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '08.
Russian Around (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, left disputing lead 5 out, led next, clear last, won at Chepstow 3m 2f nov stks (3) gd in Apr beating Quattrocento (11-4) by 13l, 3 ran.
Mount Benger 33-1 (11-3) Patiently ridden in rear, headway approaching 2 out, closed on leader to challenge after last, driven and stayed on gamely flat to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr beating Saphir Des Bois (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
The King of Angels (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, losing place when blundered 11th, behind after, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Present Glory (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, clear last, won at Haydock 3m nov chs 0-125 (3) gf in Apr beating Andrew Nick (10-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, fell 11th, in a race won by Zacharova (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Pretty Star (GER) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 12th, mistake 14th, weakened next, 5th of 15, 34l behind Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, drew clear from next, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr beating The Whisperer (11-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Backbord (GER) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 11th, progress to chase leaders next, ridden 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Gypsy George 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, weakened 6 out, 10th of 19, 38l behind Jass (10-7) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
