in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
behind from halfway
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, one pace from over 2f out
took keen hold, led and soon clear, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden in close 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division until weakened over 2f out
mid-division, stayed on from over 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, not reach leaders
chased clear leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway 5f out, challenged 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven out
Michel Le Bon and Calaficial are the two that stand out with preference for the unpenalised runner although stablemate Frosty Spring can't be ruled out as the yard saddled second and third in last year's renewal. The record of Paul Nicholls' bumper horses here is hardly a secret but with ten winners from twenty four runners at this track the claims of Michel Le Bon, a half-brother to Beau Michel and Marcus Du Berlais, are apparent. Calaficial did the job nicely last time, his experience will stand him in good stead and he's respected despite being burdened with a penalty. For those who prefer to take their chances at a bigger price then the likes of Brayford Lad, Perkin Warbeck, Alaska View and Frankly Fantastic are amongst those worth a second look but Michel Le Bon may prove good enough to get it right first time.
Calaficial (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, pushed way through over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) pol in Dec beating Katalina (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Brayford Lad (IRE) Oscar gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Corton Copse 100-1 (10-12) Went left start, always in rear, 15th of 16, well behind Fassaroe (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft.
Ethiopia 33-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, no impression, 10th of 14, 49l behind The Nightingale (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Grey Dasler (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding out of winning hurdler/bumper Glacial Queen.
Matako (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 25l behind The Big Orse (10-13) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Michel Le Bon (FR) Villez gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers.
Owlsley Terimon gelding out of winning hurdler Black H'Penny.
Supreme de Paille (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened over 4f out, 5th of 13, well behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec '06.
Bright Quest 33-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 10l behind What A Friend (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Fair Coppelia 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 11th of 13, 18l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Frosty Spring Terimon mare, half-sister to winning jumper/bumper Ericas Charm.
Lady Voldemort Josr Algarhoud filly, half-sister to 1m2f and hurdles winner Diletia.
Alaska View (IRE) Presenting gelding, brother to winning hurdler Coe.
Frankly Fantastic 12-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden over 4f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Spanish Cruise (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Shalone Tobougg gelding, half-brother to numerous winners from 6f-1m.
Spiders Nephew Alflora gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Perkin Warbeck Karinga Bay gelding out of winning jumper Supreme Lady.
