never better than mid-division
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch on inside, ridden and went moderate 3rd 2f out
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, hung right and weakened final 2f
chased leaders, led well over 1f out, soon clear, easily
held up, some headway approaching 4f out, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon no chance with easy winner but clear 2nd
reluctant and led in start, always in rear
held up towards rear, kept on final 2f, never dangerous
The pin comes down on ISITANYWONDER narrowly avoiding Oscar Whisky, Quotation Mark and Sophies Trophy. Clive Cox is not a man one would associate with National Hunt runners but here he saddles Isitanywonder, just his second runner this season. The horse is a son of Anabaa, related to several winners under both codes. The market may help guide any further, but he certainly strikes as an interesting newcomer. Similarly Oscar Whisky, who made 80,000 guineas as a three-year-old is on the shortlist of newcomers along with Red Reloaded and Doctor Foxtrot. Of those to have raced, the most interesting form is held by Sophies Trophy. This flat-bred individual was unfancied last time at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but he acquitted himself well and he won't be far away today. Respective Way and Aconitum have shown ability and each is open to more improvement, but Isitanywonder is the horse we side with.
Beau Signor 66-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Frascati Park (11-7) at Stratford 2m nhf (6) gd.
Doctor Foxtrot (IRE) Milan gelding out of French Life.
Dormouse Medicean gelding out of Black Fighter.
Gospel Spirit 17-2 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 5f out, 5th of 9, well behind Cunning Clarets (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Imperial Falcon (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway from 5f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 9th of 15, 27l behind Tocca Ferro (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft.
Isitanywonder Anabaa gelding out of Woodwin.
John Cabot 14-1 (10-12) Ridden 4f out, always towards rear, 10th of 15, 37l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
My Victor Vettori gelding out of Bobbie Dee.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Ash Baloo.
Quotation Mark (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up and keen, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Hayes Princess (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Respective Way 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon hard ridden, weakened final furlong, 4th of 18, 8l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led, hard ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Cill Rialaig (10-9) at Cheltenham 1m 4f 4yo nhf (1) gs in Jan.
Taffys Diamond High Estate colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Thunderonthemount Zaha gelding out of Vrennan.
Golbelini 22-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 27l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Karahalla Karinga Bay filly out of Kinnahalla.
Aconitum (GER) 6-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3f out, 9th of 11, 43l behind Mintiverdi (10-9) at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (4) gd in Feb.
Red Reloaded (IRE) Pilsudski gelding out of Almost Trumps.
