led, headed approaching 2nd, chased leader, not fluent 6th, led 3f out, ridden approaching last, headed after flight, stayed on until no impression and lost 2nd final 100 yards
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakening when mistake 2f out
held up in rear, going well when not much room and stumbled after 8th, moved into 6th when his last, never dangerous
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden before 3f out, stayed on same pace last
prominent, raced keenly, led before 2nd, headed when blundered 3f out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, hit 6th, struggling after 9th
held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 9th, ridden after 2f out, led soon after last, stayed on well, driven out
always prominent, not fluent 7th or 9th, strong challenge from 2f out, no extra flat
in touch, spedded into mid-division 2nd, well beaten before 3f out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3f out, ridden after 2f out, kept on flat to take 2nd final 100 yards, not troubled winner
chased leaders, ridden 8th, weakened after next
not fluent, always in rear
held up towards rear on outside, jumped slowly 2nd, headway approaching 8th, weakened after 2f out
mid-division, behind from 9th
A fascinating handicap in which top-weight Kayf Aramis cannot be readily dismissed over a course and distance that he likes, however ARAFAN lurks at the bottom of the weights and if he is fit enough after a long absence then he could spring a surprise for a trainer who has done it in the past. Richard Newland's son of Barathea was last seen at Warwick 643 days ago. He has some interesting form to his name and with the quick ground not a problem; he looks an interesting contender despite being 4lb out of the weights. Armenian Boy returns to hurdles after two tumbles over fences, however his two stablemates look of more interest, especially the well-bred Corum. Elzahann won her last three starts in the spring and she looks a horse that her trainer can go to war with this season; a mark of 130 makes life tougher but she cannot be overlooked. Two Miles West was going to win at Bangor last month but he fell late on; he has an 8lb higher mark today but his young jockey helps lighten the burden with his claim. Amigayle drops in class, On The Other Hand looks of interest with AP McCoy getting the leg up on Charlie Swann's runner as opposed to Two Miles West, whilst Tot O' Whiskey has talent but also a miserable twelve months to forget. Of more interest then is Iroquois Warrior; Paul Nicholls seems to clear up at these early season Cheltenham meetings and this son of Lord Americo has not been rushed along. With another year on his back and Ruby Walsh back on board, he looks capable of much better, however we are happy to take a chance on Arafan.
Kayf Aramis 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, led 7th, kept on gamely when strongly pressed from 2 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 24, 1 1/2l behind Made In Japan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Buena Vista (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, challenging last, one pace towards finish, 2nd of 22, 2l behind Kayf Aramis (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Elzahann (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, driven and stayed on to lead last, ridden out flat, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May beating Green Mile (10-11) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Corum (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Tobago Bay 12-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Two Miles West (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 4 out, about 2 lengths up when fell last, in a race won by Little Shilling (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
Templer (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Fourty Acers (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Aimigayle 11-1 (10-6) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind How's Business (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Iroquois Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Georgian King (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Feb.
On The Other Hand (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Baily Rock (10-6) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl gf, 13 ran.
Tot O'Whiskey 9-1 (11-2) Held up, pushed along and weakened from 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep, 12 ran.
Armenian Boy (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, under pressure 12th, weakening when jumped slowly 3 out, held when fell last, in a race won by Commemoration Day (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf, 7 ran.
Arafan (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) In touch, not fluent 7th, ridden and beaten 3 out, hung left after 2 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan '08.
Smart John 40-1 (11-12) Behind, ridden 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Massams Lane (11-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Aug, 17 ran.
