mid-division, headway 4 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on well flat
mid-division, headway 4 out, effort 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last
tracked leaders, effort on outside to lead 2 out, soon headed, ridden and kept on, no impression flat
always behind
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon behind, weakened from next
in touch, lost place 3rd, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged when hit 3 out, outpaced when not fluent next, weakened last
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, driven and outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last
behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
mistake 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened next
OSRIC shaped well enough on debut to think that he could take all the beating whilst the penalised pair Cheshire Prince and Ostland should run their races. Nicky Henderson has a fine record at this venue and all of his runners merit the closest scrutiny. There may be little value in backing Osric as a result but he showed ability on his belated racecourse bow at Newbury in a race won by a potentially smart individual and normal improvement could see him hard to beat. Cheshire Prince was impressive on his hurdling bow but came up short under a penalty on softer ground at Leicester and the same combination could conspire against him here. Ostland has a penalty for his victory in Germany but he held a relatively prominent position in the market ahead of his British bow and wasn't disgraced; he could be a factor here if he can improve from the run. Action Impact was an eyecatcher at a big price at Newbury whilst the market will be useful in assessing the chances of Paint The Clouds and Lots Of Fun but Osric is the one that they all have to beat.
Cheshire Prince 7-2 (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd when landed awkwardly 3 out, soon ridden, no extra towards finish, 4th of 15, 3l behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Ostland (GER) 6-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching last, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 12l behind Farleigh House (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Action Impact (ARG) 40-1 (11-0) Close up, chased leaders from 2 out, 3rd and held when not fluent last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-5) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Blazing Sun (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always in rear, hit 2 out, 11th of 18, 48l behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dickie Valentine 20-1 (8-12) Led to halfway, remained prominent until hung right and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 30l behind Sparkling Montjeu (8-7) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo sll (6) gd in Oct '08 (flat).
Lots Of Fun (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Clonroche Floods.
Magistrate (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Mauritino (GER) 66-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off 2 out, 7th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Osric (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, chasing winner when not fluent 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 18, 17l behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Paint The Clouds 8-15fav (11-5) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 4th of 7, 29l behind Sonny Mullen (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Jul.
Potemkin (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, always towards rear, 8th of 11, well behind Soft Spoken Guy (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Up To The Mark 9-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Farleigh House (10-7) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Weapon Of War (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, 18l behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Dancing Daffodil 125-1 (9-10) Chased winner until approaching 3 out, weakened rapidly, behind when hit last, 9th of 13, 22l behind Empty Sky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft in Dec.
