chased leader, led 4th until 7th, lost 2nd bypassing omitted 4 out, weakened approaching last
soon steadied into mid-division, headway approaching 6th, not fluent 8th, soon outpaced and no impression
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, ridden bypassing omitted 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until 4th, led 7th until approaching 2 out, soon relegated to 3rd, stayed on same pace to regain 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd bypassing omitted 4 out, led before 2 out, stayed on well flat, drew clear towards finish
held up towards rear, fell 2nd
held up, in rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th
held up, well in rear, niggled along after 4th, lost interest after 6th, detached when blundered badly and unseated rider 8th
held up, towards rear, headway 8th, chased winner 2 out, no impression when hung left and lost 2nd flat
Nonrunner
FOREMAN looks an above-average type for this kind of contest and can give his rider another winner, with Unowatimeen and Organiz the likely dangers. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is into the veteran stage now and hasn't won since 2006, but as that was a Grade One success from none other than Voy Por Ustedes it's clear he's a very capable sort on his day. Of course, those halcyon days are long gone and he's nowhere near as good now but he placed in a good race off 135 in 2009 and that standard would be too much for these to match. In the hope that he retains his enthusiasm, he's awarded a strong vote. Unowatimeen is very lightly raced for one of his age and as a winner of half of his starts merits respect. He's not been seen since 2008 which tempers enthusiasm somewhat but he's a winner under these conditions and must go close if anywhere near peak fitness. Organiz is another who's not been seen for a while but he showed steadily progressive form in this sphere last year and should go on again under his capable pilot. He's been brought over from France to win races like this and conditions will present no problem whatsoever. Overlut can be a potent front-runner on his day and he won on heavy ground in his native France, but we feel his winning performances remain of a level some way behind those of our shortlist and he'll need to step up to score. Likewise Wickford needs to return to his Irish form of 2007 to take a hand in the finish and his last couple of efforts have been laboured, so along with Whistling Straits he's overlooked. The last named has failed to build on a debut win albeit in the face of some stiff tasks, so with this trip looking a bare minimum it's unlikely he'll be winning. Vicario could be interesting at a price with conditions ideal, but there's no denying he's past his best and even that standard wouldn't guarantee success. Kayceecee has one win from 28 starts and that is a rapidly fading memory, so along with Some Timbering and Another River is passed over in favour of Foreman.
Overlut (FR) 11-4 (12-7) Led til missed marker bend aft 15, in a race won by Roulez Cool (12-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp in Dec, 9 ran.
Wickford (IRE) 2-1 (12-7) Led til hdd last; one pce, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Scrappie (12-0) at Tabley 3m ptp gd in May.
Organiz (FR) 8-11fav (11-11) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led travelling 2 out, all out to hold on near finish, won at Folkestone 2m hts chs (6) gf in May beating Hatsnall (11-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Unowatimeen (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased winner until fell 11th, in a race won by Endless Power (10-3) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) gd in Apr '08, 15 ran.
Vicario 5-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 10th to 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Giovanna (11-4) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Another River (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Led 5; drew clr 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Guilsborough 3m ptp in Apr '08 beating Maddie's Dream (12-0) by 15l, 9 ran.
Colditz (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened 9th, 10th of 17, 39l behind Willies Way (11-10) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jul.
Foreman (GER) 40-1 (10-11) Not fluent 6th, always towards rear, 14th of 22, 43l behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Some Timbering (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Pressed leader, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 17l behind Danny Zuko (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Whistling Straits (IRE) 6-1 (12-5) (tt) cl up; led brief 4 out; led app 2 out til hdd last; kpt on up, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Star Double (12-5) at Higham 3m ptp gd in Jan.
Kayceecee (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Keen to post, held up in rear, mistake 2nd, detached from 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by King High (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sep, 13 ran.
Cat Six (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Hdwy 10; led aft 4 out; sn clr, won at Alnwick 2m 4f ptp gd in Dec beating Grande Monsieur (12-0) by 6l, 11 ran.
