behind, moderate headway from 3 out
always behind, tailed off
close up, lost place after 6th, kept on again under pressure from 3 out, went 2nd last but no chance with easy winner
behind, pulled up 3 out
disputing lead until after 7th, soon well behind, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened after 5th, struggling 7th, tailed off
always behind, mistake and ridden 6th, no chance when hit 4 out, tailed off
hit 2nd, mid-division, headway to chase winner 3 out, driven and beaten before next, blundered and lost 2nd last
soon chasing leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, clear approaching 2 out, heavily eased run-in
disputed lead until 7th, weakened before next, tailed off
towards rear, hit 6th and next, well behind when stumbled and unseated rider 4 out
raced wide, in touch, weakened 7th, well behind when fell 4 out
always struggling in rear, tailed off
In the opener, Kavatcha is selected ahead of Cave Of The Giant and Tavalu. Kavatcha put up a best performance to date last time when second to the recently-improved Longueville Manor. That form looks good enough to make him a key player today. Having shown ability enough to earn a rating of 108 - which more than stands up in the context of this race - Cave Of The Giant looks a leading player today if all goes well with him. Having been placed in four of his five hurdle runs, earning a rating of 108 in the process, Tavalu has to be seriously considered, while Elliott's all-weather bumper debut suggested ability and Azkaban Wings showed ability in Ireland and will at least be sharper for his recent Flat spin. Finally, from a canny yard, Torit might be capable of better but, for the selection , we will stick with Kavatcha.
Azkaban Wings (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 14, 14l behind National Trust (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Elliott 66-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 9f out to 6f out, chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 8l behind Theft (10-2) at Kempton 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Il Potere (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden after 7th, soon well behind, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Gabier (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Tavalu (USA) 11-8fav (11-0) In touch, headway to chase winner 4th, hit 7th, ridden and no chance with winner from 4 out, lost poor 2nd, entering flat, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Polinamix (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Toryt (POL) 33-1 (11-0) 6th and in touch when fell 3 out in race won by Gabier (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Kavatcha (FR) 6-1 (10-8) In touch, chased leaders 7th, chased leader approaching 3 out, every chance last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Longueville Manor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd.
Mia's Girl 12-1 (10-10) Held up, closer order 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 16l behind Heavenly Pleasure (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
