chased clear leader, close up 5th, hit 3 out, led next, driven 2 lengths clear approaching last, headed flat, outpaced by front pair final 100 yards
led at strong pace, soon clear, reduced lead and driven along after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied last, kept on gamely flat, led near finish
held up in 3rd, hit 6th, headway to chase leader well before last, weakened before last
held up in last pair, 4th and ridden after 3 out, driven and headway after 2 out, chased leader last, driven ahead flat, headed near finish
held up in last pair, last and struggling 7th, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off
NO REFUGE ran a big race on his reappearance and may be able to get the better of Franchoek whilst stable form counts against Lough Derg. Franchoek has found life difficult thus far this season but a return to Cheltenham could see this resolute galloper in a better light. The race conditions seem certain to suit and this would appear to be his best opportunity to date. The potential blot is No Refuge who rather lost his way after winning at the 2005 Festival but who ran his best race for a long time at Wetherby in November. The form of that race has taken a couple of knocks but he's the pick of this field at the weights and may not need to improve on that form to land the spoils. Rather like his yard, Lough Derg has yet to hit top form this season and remains opposable. Five Dream is interesting as he ran a blinder on his penultimate start and looks an improved performer this season. He is trying this trip for the first time and could be the one to take advantage if Franchoek and No Refuge fail to run up to their best but the Howard Johnson team are in such good form that we'll stick with No Refuge.
Franchoek (IRE) 13-8 (11-10) Tracked leader until switched right approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Lupanar (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Lough Derg (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, 36l behind Punchestowns (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Five Dream (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, beaten when brought down 3 out in race won by Sentry Duty (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec, 21 ran.
No Refuge (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, driven 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pettifour (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Maidstone Mixture (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Nine Stories (10-12) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
