prominent, led 8th, headed 3 out, weakened before next
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
held up, never dangerous
in touch, lost place 8th, soon behind
behind, headway after 3 out, weakened after next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway under pressure before 2 out, mistake 2nd last, soon beaten
behind, headway 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, switched right to challenge last, battled gamely and led run-in
always behind, pulled up 2 out
held up in touch, under pressure and lost place before 7th, headway before last, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened after last
behind, headway before 3 out, led before 2nd last, headed and no extra flat
held up mid-division, blundered 6th, headway before 2 out, stayed on under pressure, never troubled leaders
led until 8th, gradually weakened from 3 out
held up, never dangerous
Peacock's a tentative each-way nomination in an open race, recent winners Khasab and Backbord have to be respected along with Nakai and Bedlam Boy. Peacock has progressed with almost every outing and was well backed to win a handicap here last time despite racing from out of the handicap. He never got into the race behind the enterprisingly ridden Lough Derg but that's unlikely to be an issue this afternoon. He looked unlucky on his penultimate start, is in the handicap proper and should be able to give a good account. Nakai has to be feared but I'm far from convinced that he's mature enough for a test of this nature and relatively seasoned handicappers Khasab and Backbord make more appeal. Khasab may find them going too quickly for him on this ground but there are reasons to believe that Backbord has more to offer and he has solid claims. Bedlam Boy is one to follow but it would be some performance to win this after such a long absence but Shatabdi should be all the better for her return and makes the short-list. Nothing really stands out in an open heat, we'll give our vote to Peacock.
Gauvain (GER) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed after next, kept on, 5th of 11, 5l behind Aigle D'or (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Overstrand (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind The Tother One (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, headway on inside after 5th, disputed 2nd 3 out, ridden and switched left before 2 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Tidal Bay (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Self Defense 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 12th, soon beaten, last of 6, well behind Joe Lively (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Nakai (FR) 11-4jt-fav (11-5) Jumped left, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Harris Bay (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Shatabdi (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 20l behind Nycteos (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Battlecry (11-10) at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Hill Forts Timmy 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well to go 3rd approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Russian Trigger (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
King's Revenge 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, effort after 3 out, weakened after next, 11th of 24, 15l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Princelet (IRE) 3-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Backbord (GER) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, headway 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd beating Ringaroses (11-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Khasab (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort 2 out, stayed on flat to lead close home, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan beating Minster Abbi (9-11) by 2l, 15 ran.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden after 7th, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 24l behind Backbord (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Mister Benedictine 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 11, 41l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Peacock (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Held up in rear, stumbled after 7th, headway under pressure next, never on terms, 4th of 8, 15l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Pace Shot (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Mid-division, hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 10th of 24, 15l behind Wingman (10-0) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Supsonic 100-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 36l behind The Tother One (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, led approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Soixante (11-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
