keen hold, held up mid-division, steady headway 3 out, chased leader after 2 out, led well before last, narrowly headed early run-in, rallied well to regain lead final 100 yards, ran on
held up, mid-division to rear, headway to chase leading pair after 2 out, came on outside to chase winner before last, took narrow lead early run-in, headed and not quicken final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, ridden and no impression between last 2
behind, in rear when mistake 3 out, some headway between last 2, but no danger
led to 3rd, stayed prominent, went 2nd briefly 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
held up mid-division to rear, eased when beaten well before last
held up in rear, some headway between last 2, no danger
always in rear, tailed off after 2 out
keen hold, close up, ridden and weakened after 2 out
close up, tracked leaders from 4th, 2nd when blundered 2 out, weakened between last 2 and eased before last
took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway after 2 out, chased leading pair before last, pushed along and kept on steadily, run-in
prominent to 3rd, soon well behind, tailed off
keen hold, held up, headway into mid-division 5th, weakened soon after 2 out, tailed off when blundered last
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, led 3 out, stayed on inside and headed well before last, weakened
prominent, led 3rd to 5th, weakened rapidly next, soon tailed off and pulled up before last
Straw Bear gets the confident vote here with Classic Role and Sarin rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair sort on the flat and made an encouraging start over hurdles when beating Nicola with plenty in hand. He is sure to have come on for the experience and given nominal improvement he will be hard to beat and he is taken to win again before going on to better things. Classic Role rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Briareus on his debut but he may just need the run after a 331 day absence and with this in mind he looks worth taking on. Sarin is another that could go well on his latest third behind Tandava especially as he looks sure to be suited by this faster surface. Of the remainder Haloo Baloo has place claims on his best form but he has not progressed as expected and for the winner we return to Straw Bear who gets the confident vote.
Straw Bear (USA) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, led 2 out, clear after last, easily, won at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft beating Nikola (11-5) by 7l, 22 ran.
Classic Role 33-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in midfield, smooth headway before 2 out, led last, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Briareus (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Haloo Baloo 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place before 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Harcourt (USA) 100-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, staying on when not much room from last, 5th of 13, 18l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
King Louis (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 4th, headway next, weakened 2 out, 8th of 19, 19l behind Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Naja De Billeron (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Mid-division, until ridden and weakened before 3 out, 14th of 25, well behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Newtown 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 18l behind Dominican Monk (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in May '04.
Premier Cheval (USA) 50-1 (11-6) Held up last, ridden after 7th, one pace, 8th of 11, 45l behind Kings Castle (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs.
Sarin 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway to challenge 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Tandava (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Jun.
Street Life (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 22, well behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, challenged 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 25l behind Into The Shadows (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (B) gd in Dec '04.
Tigu (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always behind, mistake 5th, struggling and tailed off from 9th, 10th of 13, well behind Dunsfold Duke (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Tricky Venture 11-1 (8-4) Chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 5l behind Bonnabee (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
White On Black (GER) (9-0) Twice a winner on the flat in Germany/Belgium, latest start, won at Ghlin 1m 3f stk in Oct beating Kohler (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran (Flat).
Little Gannet 100-1 (10-11) Not jump well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft, 13 ran.
