mid-division, ridden 7f out, weakend 6f out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and weakened 7f out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, led 5f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway 9f out, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, kept on
held up, headway after 4f, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
soon behind, tailed off from halfway
mid-division, headway 8f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
swerved badly left start and ran out, soon unsteated
mid-division, weakened after 6f, soon well behind, tailed off
held up towards rear, lost touch 9f out, soon well tailed off
chased leader, weakened 6f out, tailed off
As is standard, the betting will give a major indication of the chances of many of the newcomers, but without that information we will side with Richard's Sundance ahead of Fermat and Stan Lea Moore. The selection was an eye-catcher on his bumper debut when he got the hang of things late on and stayed on well at the finish. He should improve for that run, and whilst obviously bred to get further in time, he should go well today on ground that he has shown he handles. The main danger could be Fermat who was a fair third to a good yardstick in Sound Accord, and if coming on for that run he should be in the shake-up. However, we will take him on today as he looks to need a fair bit further in time and so could find himself outpaced once again. Hill Cloud would be a danger if building on his debut run, however his jockey said that he didn't like the ground that day so he is readily passed over today. Of the newcomers, Stan Lea Moore looks the most interesting and could be up to making a winning debut although a lot would have to be taken on trust, whilst Overclear could go well at a price for his talented young jockey. Overall then, Richard's Sundance looks to have ticks in all the right boxes and so he gets the tentative vote.
Arctic Emperor (IRE) Arctic Lord gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Clearly In Motion.
Boston Mondain (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 31l behind Smart Tom (11-0) at Haydock 1m 5f nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Dirty Den (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Pulled hard, led after 1f, headed after 3f, remained prominent until weakened over 5f out, 6th of 13, well behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Fermat (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 3f out, kept on nearest finish, 3rd of 17, 13l behind Sound Accord (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Galoshes Kayf Tara gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Mercuric.
Hill Cloud 22-1 (10-11) Held up and behind, virtually tailed off 6f out, stayed on steadily final 3f, never nearer, 5th of 14, 15l behind Appleaday (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Now Lyn Awesome gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Overclear Overbury gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Arctic Chanter.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, stayed on final 3f, not trouble leaders, 5th of 18, 16l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov.
Stan Lea Moore Josr Algarhoud gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Gaye Sophie Environment Friend mare, half-sister to numerous winners over jumps and in bumpers.
Scots Brook Terror 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Waldo's Dream (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
