led for 6f, prominent, led 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
prominent, led after 6f, headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, some headway 5f out, weakened 4f out
mid-division until weakened over 3f out
mid-division until weakened over 3f out
mid-division until weakened 3f out
chased leader until weakened over 3f out
held up behind, headway 8f out, ridden to chase winner to 2f out, kept on, always held final furlong
mid-division, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, ran on well, ridden out
Quartano will be all the rage to complete a hat-trick, with Seismic Shift, Irish Wedding and High Carol taken to chase him home. Carl Llewellyn has strength in depth in the bumper department from what we have seen already this season, and indeed another of his inmates, Den Of Iniquity, is well to the fore for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Although only a four-year-old, Quartano would be well worth his place in that line-up based on two solid efforts so far at Exeter and at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Sent off favourite both times, this big, imposing sort had the class to defy a penalty on the second occasion, and will go off strongly fancied to keep up the good work. He actually gets weight off the older Seismic Shift who failed to defy a penalty at Newbury last time. Nevertheless, Henrietta Knight sent out last year's winner of this event, Ringaroses, so her representative has to be considered for the frame. Irish Wedding has not been with Peter Cundell that long but opened her account in determined fashion at Folkestone, form that leaves her with lots to find, while High Carol caught the eye on his Ludlow debut but is another that needs to find more in this company. Quartano is the one to beat.
Seismic Shift (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, 3rd of 22, 19l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Quartano (GER) Evensfav (11-2) Made virtually all, ridden 2f out, in command over 1f out, clear final furlong, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan beating Sophocles (10-12) by 7l, 15 ran.
Ardmore Lad (IRE) Anshan gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Long Road Home.
Big John Macarty (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Le Beau Bai (10-8) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) sft.
Call Me Sir (IRE) Lord Americo gelding, half-brother to winning bumper and chaser Datito.
High Carol (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, all out and headed close home, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Irish Wedding (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on to lead entering final furlong, kept on under pressure, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Inghwung (10-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Li Lo Bosh (IRE) Dr Devious gelding out of Academic Miss.
Madam Cliche 50-1 (10-6) Held up, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 33l behind Choumakeur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy.
Busker Royal Shahrastani gelding, half-brother to hurdles and bumper winner Barbers Shop.
Sir Harry Ormesher 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Bit Dracula gelding, brother to 1m1f & 1m2f winner Vamp, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m4f and over hurdles.
