mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 6th
held up, effort after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, hampered 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5th, ridden 7th, weakened before next
led to 5th, left in lead 6th, ridden 3 out, clear last, driven out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
with winner, led 5th, fell next
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakening when hampered next, soon pulled up
mid-division, hampered 6th, ridden next, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered 6th, soon ridden, weakened after next
always behind
behind, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, brought down 6th
The shortlisted four are Haditovski, Novacella, Herecomesstanley and Old Feathers, with the vote going to Novacella. Novacella seemed to struggle to get home last time but, prior to that, she had seemed progressive. Given that connections have elected to keep her at this trip, her chance must be respected. Mnason has it to prove from his current mark, while Haditovski, who has yet to win over this distance, can certainly be considered competitive from his current rating if staying it. Old Feathers is back to the mark from which he won in August 2004 and has to be considered, while Titian Flame bounced back to form last time and can't be ruled out, although a nine-pounds rise in the ratings will make life tougher. He's a little quirky but he has not been doing too much wrong of late so Herecomestanley is respected on the back of his latest win. Desert Tommy has not built on his 2004 promise, but he would have needed his latest run, and Eljutan's second to the decent Branckley Boy at Plumpton last time earns him some respect. The lightly-raced Salopian is another that looks capable of better, while All Sonsilver is well-weighted on his best chasing form of 2004 but Mazzareme is struggling to get things together. For the selection, though, we will stick with Novacella.
Mazzareme (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, stumbled and fell at the 2nd in race won by Kilgowan (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd, 11 ran.
Haditovski 5-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 2nd, remained close up, led again approaching 3 out, headed, no extra run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mr Midaz (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Novacella (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Prominent, led 7th, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 15l behind She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Old Feathers (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led, hit 9th, soon ridden, headed, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 20l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Titian Flame (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Prominent, led 4th, left clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating My Rosie Ribbons (10-5) by 12l, 16 ran.
Desert Tommy 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway and reminders 6th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, well behind Dickie Lewis (9-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy in Dec.
Eljutan (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, driven along from 8th, stayed on from 3 out, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Brankley Boy (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Herecomestanley 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden when hit 2 out, led soon after last, ran on, won at Warwick 2m 5f hdl (5) sft in Jan beating Mistified (11-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
