in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, no danger after
always prominent, challenged from 3 out, shaken up to lead last, ridden clear flat, comfortably
held up in rear, headway 4 out, weakened flat
prominent, lost place briefly after 4th, jumped left 3 out, stayed on flat
held up in rear, hit 1st, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, headway after 4th, no impression approaching 2 out
held up, pushed along and well behind 4 out, still plenty to do 2 out, ran on from last, just failed for 2nd
mid-division, effort approaching 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, weakening when mistake 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
jumped slowly 2nd, always behind
chased leaders until 3 out
always behind
led until approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along from 3 out, one pace when mistake last
held up, never near leaders
chased leader, ridden and every chance 4 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last, no extra
in touch until approaching 4 out
held up, headway after 2 out, never on terms
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed last, just held on for 2nd
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, not trouble leaders
held up in rear, ridden 4th, soon struggling
A wide open contest here and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Essex, Tamarinbleu, Roman Ark, Al Eile, and Tiger Cry and the vote is given to Essex. The selection won well last time out when defeating Mansony and although the rising in the weights has not exactly helped him he has conditions to suit and could still be ahead of the handicapper and is taken to score. Tamarinbleu rates the main danger as he beat Self Defense in good style last time out and that horse has since gone on to defeat Rooster Booster so the form looks rock solid and with Tony McCoy in the plate he will not be far away. Roman Ark has been well backed all week and looks to be on a fair mark but his best form is with more cut in the ground and he is passed over for that reason. Al Eile was behind Essex last time out but ids better off at the weights here so he should get closer to him here but he lacks the scope of the selection. Tiger Cry has been chasing of late but returns to hurdling on a fair mark and he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Non So is from a yard that is beginning to hit form and he could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Essex.
Geos (FR) 33-1 Held up, headway 7th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, eased, last of 8, well behind Baracouda at Windsor 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (A) sft in Dec.
Claymore (IRE) 7-2 Held up, slightly hampered 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, 4th of 8, 6l behind Blue Canyon at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Essex (IRE) 5-1fav Always prominent, close 3rd halfway, led 3 out, quickened clear next, steadied last, strongly pressed run in, stayed on well close home, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan beating Mansony by 1l, 21 ran.
Copeland 14-1 Led chasing group, struggling 3 out, soon no chance, 5th of 6, 18l behind Self Defense at Sandown 2m lst hdl (A) gs.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 14-1 Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led on bit 2 out, shaken up and ran on well, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan beating Self Defense by 4l, 23 ran.
Hawadeth 12-1 Chased leaders until outpaced after 3 out, kept on again run-in but not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 5l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Power Elite (IRE) 10-3fav Towards rear, effort and no impression before 2 out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Cherub at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 gd in Apr.
Howle Hill (IRE) 10-1 Held up in mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 3 out, every chance next, ridden and weakened before last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Distant Prospect at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (A) gd in Nov.
Al Eile (IRE) 13-2 Towards rear, headway after 3 out, kept on from next to go moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 21, 13l behind Essex at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Polar Red 5-1 Held up, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 28l behind Blue Canyon at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Dalaram (IRE) 11-2 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 2 out to last, weakened flat, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Lough Derg at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl (B) gd in Dec.
Non So (FR) 15-2 Keen, held up mid-division, promising headway on inside when not fluent 4 out, blundered and not recover next, 8th of 10, 43l behind Well Chief at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Nawamees (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders until outpaced 3 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Monet's Garden at Windsor 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Zibeline (IRE) 8-1 Took keen hold, always behind, 4th of 8, well behind Dempsey at Ludlow 2m beg chs (E) gs in Jan.
Zabenz (NZ) 9-1 Led, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 23, 18l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Escompteur (FR) 11-8fav Led, ridden 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last, finished tired, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Demarco at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (E) gs.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 20-1 Mistakes, close up, effort 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 21, 11l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd in Jan.
Roman Ark 4-1 Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, soon clear, blundered last, ran on well, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan beating Baby Run by 8l, 5 ran.
Desert Air (JPN) 66-1 Towards rear, behind after 3 out, stayed on strongly, nearest finish, 4th of 23, 7l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Idole First (IRE) 9-2 Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dom d'Orgeval at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Jan.
Tiger Cry (IRE) 20-1 Held up, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 10, 43l behind Mariah Rollins at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grd 1 sft in Dec.
Monte Cinto (FR) 3-1fav Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 10th of 23, 17l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Bongo Fury (FR) 10-3jt-fav Mid-division, pushed along 4th, headway after next, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan beating Dancing Pearl by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fenix (GER) 9-1 Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 5l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
Idaho d'Ox (FR) 66-1 In rear, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 14th of 23, 23l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 7-2 Took keen hold, held up, ridden after 3 out, one pace before next, 4th of 6, 6l behind Self Defense at Sandown 2m lst hdl (A) gs.
Calatagan (IRE) 20-1 Led until headed approaching 2 out, weakened rapidly, 8th of 11, 17l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.
