in touch, ridden and challenged leader 2 out, kept on well to lead close home
in rear, reminders soon after start, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 5th and mistake, ridden 3 out, soon held
held up, headway after 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, held when his last
led, headed after 1st, stayed prominent, led again 4th, ridden when challenged 2 out, all out and headed close home
mid-division, closer order and mistake 5th, ridden 2 out, weakening when blundered last
towards rear, mistake 3rd, some headway after 3 out, no further impression
keen, led after 1st, jumped left 2nd, headed 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracking leaders and jumped right 1st, keen, lost place approaching 3rd, weakened 6th and soon tailed off
towards rear, weakened 5th
Solar Max, Barney Again and Akarshan are the three to look at here, and we will side with Solar Max. Barney Again has had two attempts in similar company to this, but he is yet to shine. However, he was highly tried last time behind a classy type, and this looks a much easier affair. He can put his experience to good use and reach the frame. Akarshan shoulders a penalty for a win at Market Rasen three outings ago, and having been outclassed on his next start, he was just run out of it in the closing stages next time. He can go well but the penalty may anchor him once more. Solar Max cost 340,000gns as a yearling, but although this son of Galileo cut little ice on the Flat, he has shown improvement in his two starts over hurdles, running a good second behind a winner who ran with credit at Cheltenham at the weekend. This seems a good opportunity for Solar Max to start to repay his purchase price, with the able assistance of Tony McCoy.
Akarshan (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) In touch, not fluent 7th, chased winner 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Cherokee Star (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Barney Again (USA) 80-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders, lost place 4 out, 4th of 5, well behind Balzaccio (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf.
Dinarius 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 37l behind Simarian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Keepholdin (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, behind 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Helium (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs, 13 ran.
London Times (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened after 5th, blundered last, 9th of 13, 47l behind Helium (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
No To Trident 12-1 (10-12) Held up, raced keenly, not fluent, mistake 5th, went moderate 5th 2 out, no chance, 6th of 11, 35l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Slayer 12-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, trailing halfway, completely tailed off, 15th of 18, well behind El Fontan (10-12) at Killarney 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl gd in Aug.
Solar Max (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Prominent, pushed along approaching 5th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Amouretta 40-1 (7-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 4f, weakened over 2f, 6th of 8, 17l behind Ice Bellini (8-3) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) fbs (Flat).
Bosamcliff (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 16, 8l behind Black Rain (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Coral Shores 33-1 (10-2) Pulled hard, held up in rear, no fluent 1st, hit 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 32l behind Helium (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Drumalee Lass (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Chased leaders until dropped behind from under 2f out, soon no extra, last of 8, 36l behind Dedo (9-2) at Cork 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 gd in Aug '07 (Flat).
Miss Mozart 125-1 (10-2) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 14th of 15, well behind Rock Me (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Poppy Gregg 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Cosmea (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
