held up, headway approaching 5th, hit 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
prominent, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, ran on
held up towards rear, weakened from 2 out
held up, outpaced 4 out, ridden and stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders to 2nd, soon lost place, weakened 4 out
held up, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, weakening when badly hampered 8th
held up, headway 4 out, ridden after next, no impression
held up, reminders after 5th, headway to chase leaders approaching 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, hit 7th, never dangerous
led, hit 3rd, clear approaching 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, smooth headway when fell 8th
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
Plenty of eyes will focus on Very Optimistic and Young American, whose yard won this with their second string last year and they will no doubt be very keen to strike an early blow on their return to action. However, preference goes to Sharp Belline, who carries a featherweight this afternoon and is well suited by these flat, galloping courses. Stablemate St Matthew is also very much respected and he brings a touch of class to proceedings. However, he is much higher in the ratings in this sphere than he is over fences and, as he faces no easy task on the terms of the race, he is reluctantly left alone for win only purposes. Similarly, Hirvine reverts to hurdles after a string of fair efforts in novice chases and is entitled to consideration. Still, he looks weighted up to the hilt and it will take a really good effort from him to hold them all at bay today. Very Optimistic ran well here on similar ground when he was last seen out and is still open to acres of improvement. He looks the better of Jonjo O'Neill's runners but lacks the experience held by many. Therefore, we take our chances with Sharp Belline, who arrives here in good form and represents great value at the likely prices today.
St Matthew (USA) 15-2 Held up in touch, ridden and beaten when fell 4 out in race won by Ollie Magern at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs, 6 ran.
Hirvine (FR) 4-1 Led, jumped right 2nd, headed next, chased leader, reminders after 8th and 10th, led 13th, all out, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (C) gs in Jan beating Meneur De Jeu by a shd, 6 ran.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 25-1 Raced in mid-division, effort 10th, weakened before last, 8th of 14, 30l behind Korelo at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan.
Very Optimistic (IRE) 15-2 Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, hung left and went 2nd flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Turtle Soup at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) hvy in Dec.
Carlys Quest 12-1 Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on but never reached leaders, 4th of 14, 13l behind Celtic Son at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (B) sft in Jan.
Petite Margot 25-1 Chased leaders, effort to lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, 11th of 14, 19l behind Supreme Serenade at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs.
Holland Park (IRE) 10-3 fell at the 2nd in race won by Sleep Bal at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (C) gs, 7 ran.
Ravenswood (IRE) 7-1 Held up, headway after 4 out, soon chased leaders, driven and one paced before last, 4th of 24, 14l behind Inching Closer at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar '03.
Indy Mood 7-1 Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Bewleys Berry at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Jan.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 11-2 Chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, 4th of 5, 14l behind Grattan Lodge at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) hvy in Nov.
Young American (IRE) 13-8fav Held up in rear, mistake 2nd and refused at the 4th in race won by Parisian Storm at Southwell 3m 2f nov chs (E) gd in Aug, 6 ran.
Sharp Belline (IRE) 5-1 Led, headed 8th, led again next, ridden 2 out, edged left under pressure flat, held on, won at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Dec beating Monolith by 1l, 14 ran.
Broken Knights (IRE) 3-1fav Held up towards rear, smooth headway to track leaders after 8th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from last, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Skenfrith at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec.
Blazing Batman 25-1 Behind from 2nd, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Barton Nic at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
