chased leaders, ridden approaching 4th, kept on same pace from 2 out
always towards rear
in touch, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
behind from 2nd
chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off
in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on, edged left flat
led, ridden, headed when hit 2 out, kept on flat
always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out, very tired when fell last
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hit last, driven out
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
In the finale, Fard du Moulin Mas gets the call ahead of Visibility and Kings Castle. Even though he is five pounds above his Doncaster winning mark, Fard du Moulin Mas looks to us to still be competitively weighted and can go well. Rift Valley has been beaten from revised marks since May and June wins, but Visibility got back to form last time with a good Sandown second and has to be considered. Salute is now on a potentially-fair mark following a couple of modest efforts, while Kings Castle looks competitive from his rating, particularly based on his Wincanton run behind The Luder in January. Glimmer Of Light looks flattered by his second to Temoin, who is now Cheltenham-bound following an impressive Newbury win last week, but can't be ruled out and, similarly, Tora Bora would hold a chance if repeating his second to Rosecliff two runs ago. Il Athou is very well-weighted based on chasing form and is respected, but Martin Pipe's French winner Idian Mix has shown little in three hurdling starts. Finally, Bak To Bill, who has proven form from higher marks, might find today's trip a fraction on the short side, Sommelier and Le Rochelais are two that have yet to build on early promise, Miss Skippy won a seller from a pound lower mark in August but the other pair need to find improvement, we feel. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Fard du Moulin Mas.
Georges Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, jumped right 5th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Desert Tommy (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb, 18 ran.
Brochrua (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 4th, no danger after, 6th of 17, 24l behind Ambersong (11-13) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Feb.
Damarisco (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 10th of 13, well behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Faddad (USA) 33-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 9th, headway after 13th, weakened after next, 6th of 7, well behind Ashgreen (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Windyx (FR) 50-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 18, well behind Orcadian (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Harrival 100-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden after 4th, one pace from next, 5th of 11, 33l behind Mahogany Blaze (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Lets Try Again (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 9l behind Ellway Prospect (10-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Sunset King (USA) 4-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Better Moment (11-7) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
How Is The Lord (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) With leader, led and hit 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 39l behind Mahogany Blaze (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Grandee Line 16-1 (10-12) Soon outpaced in mid-division, no chance from 6th, 6th of 12, 26l behind Better Moment (11-7) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Joli Classical (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 14, 17l behind Bally Bolshoi (11-3) at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Kaluga (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Prominent until 5th, chased leaders, ridden and one pace from 9th, 4th of 8, 21l behind Chapeltown (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (D) gs in Apr '04.
Ghabesh (USA) 250-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off from halfway, 7th of 10, well behind Afsoun (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Life Estates 33-1 (10-0) In touch, mistake 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 16l behind Barella (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
