keen hold early, tracked leader until led after 1f, headed halfway, soon settled 3rd, smooth headway 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on well to draw clear final furlong, easily
held up last, pushed along 4f out, headway to 3rd 2f out, stayed on into 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
soon tracked leader, led halfway, joined over 6f out, headed 4f out, chased leader until over 2f out, gradually weakened
pulled hard, soon tracked leading pair on outside, headway to press leader over 6f out, led still pulling 4f out, headed 2f out, carried head awkwardly and beaten when dropped to 3rd final furlong
led over 1f, soon settled 4th, dropped to last over 5f out, some headway over 2f out, went modest 4th, never any chance
In a tight race despite the small field it's YES MR PRESIDENT who gets our vote ahead of Gala Evening and Sheshali, although none of the six can be totally discounted. Mark Johnston's gelding likes to get his toe in which is no surprise for a son of Montjeu, whose sole start over this trip resulted in a solid looking second at Ascot. He can be forgiven a poor run in the Cesarewitch with today's small field set to be entirely more to his liking and our hope is Joe Fanning bosses these from the front; the jockey is seen at his best when doing so and this horse has shown good form when asked to dominate. Jim Old has his runners in fine form and Gala Evening must take some beating here with that in mind. Unlike our selection, he's had a recent spin and therefore should arrive here fit having won well at Kempton last time. Winning this would represent a career best for this horse but he's not had too many chances on the level and has won on soft ground so with Richard Hughes up a big run is expected. Sheshali is unexposed on the level and also has claims as a horse who has run well with cut in the ground and remains capable of better. The concern with him is he's been out of form over hurdles of late and with that in mind he's best watched until showing a little more. Hindu Kush would look a good thing on his best form but after winning early on last summer his efforts gradually regressed and he's got a lot to find with Yes Mr President on their meeting at Haydock. As ever with one of such connections a market check is advised but at this stage a leap of faith is required to side with him and Hearthstead Dream is of more interest as a rare flat runner for Gordon Elliott. Once more the market will reveal more but this horse likes to get his toe in so keep an eye on the weather and Manjam has claims if translating some of his hurdles ability to the level, however we remain happy to side with Yes Mr President.
Yes Mr President (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, pulled hard early, under pressure over 6f out, soon weakened, 31st of 32, well behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Gala Evening 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, smooth headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, very easy, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar beating Right Stuff (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Sheshali (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Close up, went 2nd after 6f, ridden 3f out, stayed on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Calculating (8-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Hindu Kush (IRE) 10-3 (10-0) In touch, led after 2f, headed over 6f out, soon lost place and behind, weakened and eased final 2f, last of 6, 33l behind Blue Nymph (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Manjam (IRE) (9-4) 6th of 9, 7l behind Berenice Pancrisia (9-1) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 6f stk in Sep '07.
Hearthstead Dream 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to 9th 2f out, ridden in 8th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 18, 7l behind Lucky At Last (10-11) at Galway 1m 6f stks sft in Oct.
