prominent, ridden 3 out, every chance 2 out, hard ridden last, hung left, no extra flat
held up in touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, rallied and hung right flat, led close home, all out
pulled hard and held up in touch, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened 6th, behind when unseated rider 3 out
held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, one pace
held up last, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
led, ridden before 6th, headed 3 out, rallied gamely and led last, hard ridden and headed flat
pulled hard and chased leader, ridden and weakened 6th, pulled up before 3 out
Ziggy Zen can bounce back at the expense of Croix de Guerre and Nawamees, with Fontanesi and Hatteras not to be ruled out entirely. Ziggy Zen proved to be a costly failure when unseating Noel Fehily at Ludlow in February, his trail-blazing tactics taking their toll as he was back-peddling in third when departing at the last. The son of Muhtarram, a staying winner on the Flat for Charles Cyzer, had earlier opened his account in good style at Kempton when beating Overstrand, and so obviously has ability. Given a little break since his mishap, Charlie Mann's five-year-old is fancied to oblige, the only negative being the trip, which may be on the short side. In receipt of a stone, Croix de Guerre, who has been placed on a number of occasions, including here, can give the selection most to do. The Philip Hobbs inmate just needs to brush up his jumping a bit to be involved in the shake-up. Nawamees won a weak race by Ascot standards when opening his account in November, and although a place possible, does not make a great deal of appeal. Fontanesi flopped badly in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle and may not be as good as first thought, although he did win a maiden on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien. Any further drying of the ground would be against him. Hatteras will probably need the run and for the winner we return to Ziggy Zen.
