chased leaders, gradually lost place approaching 3rd, tailed off
chased leader, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway after 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out
raced wide in mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven along and lost place 3rd, headway 5th, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
led until 5th, ridden and switched left approaching 2 out, stayed on approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led and continually hampered by lose horse from 2 out, hit last, ridden out
chased leaders, ridden after 3rd, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide and held up, making headway when ran out 4th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is modest fayre, for sure, in which Joli Classical gets the call ahead of Sunset King and Georges Boy. Joli Classical ran well behind Bally Bolshoi, who would be far better than any of these, at Chepstow last time, so is respected in a weak affair on his first run since then. Georges Boy's Navan form from last year would give him claims and the first-time headgear might just see him come back to that level of performance. Brochrua proved last year that he can go well from around today's mark, although that form came on good or quicker going, while Faddad's wins so far have come in sellers, although this is little better than one. A French Flat winner, Windyx needs to step up on three British hurdling runs, while Lets Try Again could be given a chance based on 2003 Irish form and is gradually edging back to full fitness. Sunset King has been raised five pounds for a Plumpton placing and holds place claims again, while Grandee Line could be given a chance based on last spring's form. Finally, first-time cheekpieces could well provide hope for followers of Ghabesh. Overall, though, we will side with Joli Classical.
Rift Valley (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Jumped right, led to approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 8, 34l behind New Entic (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Visibility (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Prominent, driven approaching 2 out, blundered last, ran on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Danse Macabre (10-7) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Kings Castle (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 4 out, stayed on, 5th of 20, 16l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Le Rochelais (FR) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders to halfway, well beaten when bumped and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Elfkirk (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, well behind when jumped badly right last, 8th of 13, well behind Topkat (11-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Tora Bora (GER) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, chased winner after last, no impression, 2nd of 13, 16l behind Shamayoun (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Il'athou (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Prominent fell at the 11th in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 23 ran.
Idian Mix (FR) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Marrel (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Bak To Bill 14-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden, some headway 3 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 13, 19l behind Desert Tommy (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Miss Skippy 11-2 (11-10) In touch, chased leader 5th, ridden to join winner after 8th, weakened quickly after 3 out, 5th of 9, 36l behind New Perk (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Haloo Baloo 25-1 (10-10) Jumped right 2nd, held up, behind from 9th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Magico (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Salute (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 5th, soon behind, 6th of 11, well behind Fait Le Jojo (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Oct.
Fard du Moulin Mas (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Soon led, headed 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 5l behind Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.
Sommelier 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden to hold place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 36l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Pearly Star 11-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 6th, soon behind pulled up 2 out in race won by Colophony (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
