keen in rear, stayed on passed by beaten horse final furlong, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led 7f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, went prominent halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led for 9f, chased leaders, ridden 4f out, rallied over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, kept on well
held up behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on
chased leaders until 4f out
held up behind, good headway on inside over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression final furlong
took keen hold in touch, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, stayed on from 2f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ttracking leaders and going well 6f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra when headed just inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
mid-division until 4f out
A wide open bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these types of events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Sworn In, Menchikov, Kaldouas and Le Galactico and the vote is given to Sworn In. The selection won well on his debut when beating Rimskey and although he has a penalty for that win he is sure to have learned from the experience and under similar conditions he will be hard to beat. Menchikov rates the main danger as he is a well-related Garde Royale gelding from a yard that does well in this sphere so he should be noted in the market. Kaldouas is a half-brother to several jumps winners in France including Poliantas and is another from a top yard. Le Galactico has shown enough in two runs to date to suggest he can win a race of this nature but he has given the impression he would be suited by a longer trip and in a race where the market may well tell all for the winner we return to Sworn In.
Sworn In (USA) 50-1 In rear, headway under pressure 3f out, led over 2f out, ran green but soon clear, eased near finish, won at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar beating Rimsky by 9l, 18 ran.
Alto Fico (IRE) 33-1 Always behind, ridden 6f out, soon tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Mendo at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Bhaydalko (FR) Kadalko gelding out of Bhaydana.
Black Shan (IRE) Anshan gelding out of winning hurdler Singing Forever.
Coltscroft 9-1 In touch and keen, ridden and lost place over 3f out, ran on strongly from over 1f out, just denied, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Call Oscar at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Mar.
Fine Enough (IRE) 33-1 Held up last, ridden and headway 5f out, chased leaders 3f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 43l behind Bumper at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Hi Humpfree 20-1 Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 26l behind The Cool Guy at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Menchikov (FR) Garde Royale gelding, full brother to winning hurdler Le Royal.
Midnight Spirit 66-1 Chased leaders until weakened 2f out, 8th of 14, 41l behind Toemac at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Apr '04.
Moonhammer Karinga Bay gelding, brother to winning jumper Binny Bay, half-brother to winning bumper Dorans Grove.
Red Granite Rock City gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Cherokee Boy.
Young Boss 40-1 Pulled hard in midfield, well behind final 4f, 14th of 16, well behind Grenfell at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Kaldouas (FR) Kaldou Star gelding, half-brother to the useful jumper Poliantas.
King Louis (FR) 66-1 Behind, kept on final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 18, 18l behind Sworn In at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Krismas Cracker Kris gelding, half-brother to several winners on the flat.
Le Galactico (FR) 9-2 Mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Glasker Mill at Kempton 2m nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Master Marmalade Trempolino gelding out of winning hurdler Miss Picol.
Nile Moon (IRE) Simply Great gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Balla Time.
Nobel Bleu de Kerpau (FR) 16-1 Chased leaders, hard ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 16, 10l behind Grenfell at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Soleil Fix (FR) Mansonnien gelding out of Ifaty.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders, ridden and effort 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 47l behind Elle Roseador at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Jan.
