held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
led until approaching 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
soon tracking leaders, hit 2nd, led 3 out, clear last
held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced approaching next, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd close home
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, fell next
held up and keen, headway after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, hit last, no impression
tracked leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra when lost 3rd close home
The market should give most clues and from a shortlist that includes Yachvili, Knight Valiant, Run To Space and Tucker, we side with Yachvili. Yachvili hails from a yard who are not adverse to the odd tilt at the ring and with a step back to two miles in his favour and Graham Lee booked, he has strong claims at this level. Howard Johnson seems to have his string in good order and while Knight Valiant, who is a half-brother to Arcalis, while moderate on the flat, he would have to be respected if showing the aptitude for the game of his near-sibling. Run To Space was given a patient introduction on debut and can be expected to improve on that effort. Tucker has recently joined Micky Hammond for 25000 guineas at the sales. That could be cheap given he was rated 102 on the level when last seen out. Nanton was a respectable miler on his day and makes a relatively late transition to hurdling. Rory's Star was not sighted behind Woodbine Willie last time out whilst Super Cris disappeared from racing under rules for the best part of four years before resurfacing under the care of Gordon Elliott. Montchara, who had more than a few quirks on the flat for Geoff Wragg, represents Martin Todhunter. A hard race to assess without reference to the market and Yachvili can only be viewed as a tentative selection.
Devil Water Maresca Sorrento gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Hunting Haze 50-1 (10-12) Chased winner to 4 out, weakened after next, 10th of 14, 23l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Knight Valliant 13-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 8l behind Fenners (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcap (6) gf in May (Flat).
Modarab 400-1 (11-3) Behind, effort 4th, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 38l behind Sharp Reply (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Montchara (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 13, 10l behind Blu Manruna (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcap (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
Nanton (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no progress and outpaced final 2f, 6th of 9, 6l behind Russki (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct (Flat).
Rory's Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, mistake 3rd, 15th of 16, well behind Woodbine Willie (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Run To Space 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, struggling from 5 out, 9th of 14, 21l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Super Cris (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always behind, 10th of 14, 28l behind All Noble (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Tucker 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Smart Enough (9-1) at Bath 1m stk (3) gf in Oct (Flat).
Yachvili (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up and keen, headway 7th, chased winner approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Sprinkler (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
