chased leaders, ridden to chase leader last, driven ahead final 75 yards
chased leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
led to 4th, chased leader after, still every chance 2 out, driven and stayed on well towards finish
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, no chance when fell 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden to lead, approaching 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed final 75 yards, unable to quicken
always behind, ridden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
in touch, headway 6th, chasing leaders and every chance 3 out, weakened soon after next
always in rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened soon after next
chased leaders, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
never better than mid-division, ridden 6th, soon struggling
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off
The best of these are pretty useful and we'll take MICHEL LE BON to come out on top from According To Dick. Theophrastus should go well again but Qianshan Leader is another each-way option at a potentially bigger price. According To Dick impressed when returning from a mid-season break to win from a well-backed Nicholls horse at Sandown to justify the early season expectations that were held for him following his impressive bumper success at Cheltenham. He's feared but he does have to concede 4lbs to an equally promising individual in Michel Le Bon, who made a cosy winning bow over obstacles at Chepstow. The runner-up won well next time and showed improved form when runner-up to a stablemate of According To Dick in a Grade 2 at Haydock whilst the third has also shaped well in defeat. Back Exit has fair form between the flags to his name and is worth a second look as is Lord Ragnar - although he has to leave a modest run at Musselburgh behind. Theophrastus ran well for a long way at Sandown and appeals as one of the likelier challengers for minor honours but he'll be priced accordingly and a dabble on Qianshan Leader could prove more rewarding. He was well backed ahead of his debut in a Kempton bumper but was green and outpaced and could only finish in midfield. Connections have wasted no time in switching his attention to hurdling and he could show up well.
According To Dick (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up behind leaders, challenged going well to lead 2 out, reminder soon after, lunged last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs beating Royal Charm (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Duke of Miskin 33-1 (11-7) Not fluent, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, last of 6, 36l behind Diamond Harry (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Michel Le Bon (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden when hit last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Thetwincamdrift (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Albert Park (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, in touch to 4f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 39l behind Wisteria Lane (10-10) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Mar '07.
Back Exit (IRE) (12-0) 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Door Boy (12-0) at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp gs in Feb '08.
Bankstair (FR) 66-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 41l behind King of Leon (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Fiftyonefiftyone (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 24l behind Quazy de Joie (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
King of Java 150-1 (11-3) Led and keen, ridden 6th, headed and weakened next, 7th of 11, 47l behind Phoudamour (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Lesmoir 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, steady progress from 9f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Aug '07 beating Nolton Town (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, effort 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when jumped badly left 2 out, 4th of 12, 35l behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd.
Moonlight Cantor (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 6f out, soon struggling, last of 18, well behind Henry King (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Pale Rider (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Always behind, 8th of 9, well behind Bellvano (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd.
Qianshan Leader (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up, headway half way, effort 3f out, soon one pace, 7th of 13, 16l behind General Miller (10-7) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Roman Conquest 66-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway 5f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan beating Whistlejacquet (11-0) by a nk, 11 ran.
Sassanias (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 39l behind The Nightingale (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Spiders Nephew 100-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 17, well behind Shalone (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan '08.
Theophrastus (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, pushed along 4th, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 9, 8l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Giollacca (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 6f out, 6th of 13, 36l behind Gilwen Glory (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Jan.
