held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, tracked leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up behind, effort over 3f out, no impression
held up behind, headway over 3f out, one pace from over 2f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden well over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out
led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, quickly weakened over 4f out, pulled up
chased leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, soon hung right, stayed on
chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
in touch, weakened over 2f out
held up on outer, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, kept on from over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
held up towards rear, chased leaders over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway well over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
This is a fascinating race in which SAGA DE TERCEY is preferred to stablemate Saveiro and Cranky Corner and Zazamix. Alan Swinbank has targeted this race before and he won it in 2007 with Theatrical Moment. Of his pair today we prefer Saga De Tercey because of the ground. It was quick when he won at Huntingdon and he was very impressive under today's jockey. He may not have beaten that much but he was backed as if defeat was out of the question on that debut and he can land this. Stablemate Saveiro impressed last time out at Musselburgh but his sole defeat when finishing a race has come on good ground. Whistlejacquet and Lidar represent Alan King who has a strong hand in this sphere and of the two Lidar, an impressive Doncaster winner, makes most appeal. Alexander Beetle, Ceaser's Return and City Theatre try to defend 100% records, whilst the former point-to-pointer Like Minded is obviously held in high regard down at Ditcheat after a Lingfield win a few months back. Giordano Bruno comes here chasing a hat-trick after two wins at Hereford and Taunton and it takes a very good horse to win by eleven lengths under a penalty as he did last time. This really is a case of ringing up Mystic Meg and asking to borrow her lucky pin but our nomination is Saga De Tercey.
City Theatre (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 5f out, chased leader over 2f out, shaken up final furlong, led near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Legal Bid (10-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Cranky Corner 50-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, effort over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 24, 30l behind Dunguib (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Giordano Bruno (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Pulled hard, held up, steady progress from 8f out, led 3f out, quicken clear, won at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Roko Dancer (10-10) by 11l, 14 ran.
Hillview Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Alvarado (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gf in Mar.
Like Minded 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, ridden, kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov beating Eighteenfifty (11-11) by hd, 8 ran.
Meridian City (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gd in Dec beating Stormin Exit (11-2) by 4l, 9 ran.
Miller's Dawn 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 18, 9l behind Lidar (10-8) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb.
Premier Sagas (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Towards rear, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, soon driven clear, readily, won at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Ballymacduff (11-4) by 12l, 14 ran.
Saveiro (FR) 15-8 (11-11) Made all, ran wide paddock bend, 5 lengths clear 3 out, ridden 2 out, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 2m N H flat (6) gs in Feb beating Wave Power (11-11) by 10l, 7 ran.
Silver Accord (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 7f out, joined winner 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out until entering final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Aldertune (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn N H flat (5) sft in Jan.
Sitting Tennant 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, went 2nd over 4f out, challenged over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb beating Quannapowitt (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Wymott (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Disputed lead until led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Voramar Two (11-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Alexander Beetle 3-1fav (10-7) Held up, headway on inside 4f out, led over 1f out, driven and ran green, won at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) sft in Jan beating Gibraltar Star (11-4) by 7l, 12 ran.
Ceasar's Return 8-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Vivona Hill (12-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Cunning Clarets (IRE) 5-4fav (10-7) Close up, improved 6f out, led and soon clear over 2f out, heavily eased final furlong, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m mdn nat hunt flt (4-6yo) (6) gs in Feb beating Conington (10-9) by 10l, 9 ran.
Lidar (FR) 4-6fav (10-8) In touch, led approaching 2 out, clear final furlong, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb beating Miller's Dawn (11-0) by 9l, 18 ran.
Tzora 2-5fav (10-10) Raced keenly, in touch, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Sail And Return (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Whistlejacquet 15-8fav (11-0) Held up last, headway 5f out, ridden and led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Roman Conquest (11-1) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
Zazamix (FR) 7-2 (10-12) With leaders, definite advantage over 3f out, hard ridden final furlong, kept on well, won at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Vino Griego (10-12) by 1l, 18 ran.
Saga de Tercey (FR) 4-7fav (10-4) Took keen hold in touch, led over 3f out, ran green and clear final 2f, hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gf in Mar beating Mayor Of Kilcock (10-9) by 12l, 10 ran.
