led until 3rd, prominent, led after 7th until 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, hit 6th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led 3rd until after 7th, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, held from next
New Team has leading claims and Snow Patrol, Leamington Lad, El Zorro and Montana Gold make the short-list. El Zorro gets the nod. New Team looked progressive when winning at Plumpton and a 9lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from following up; a big run from Turbulance earlier in the day would advertise his claims. Snow Patrol, Migwell, Mister Wiseman have claims but are essentially opposable. Leamington Lad is the next to go as he has yet to win despite running several big races; a line can be put through his latest effort as it came too quickly. Nicky Henderson has thrice won this prize in seven years and hasn't had a runner on two occasions. That's a strong statistic so Montana Gold is accorded the utmost respect and should be spot on following his reappearance; he's completely unexposed. The selection looked potentially well handicapped on his French form but had been off the track for a long time prior to his winning return at Warwick where he was well backed. He's 8lbs higher and the form looks worse with every run which is hardly auspicious but the longer trip will suit and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt and take El Zorro to make his mark.
Migwell (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Ironside (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
New Team (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft beating Turbulance (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Snow Patrol 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, joined when fell 2 out in race won by Pocket Too (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy, 13 ran.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 23l behind Harris Bay (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Herakles (GER) 10-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, effort, went 2nd 3 out, weakened after next, poor 3rd when pulled up in race won by Ostfanni (11-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) gf in May '06, 7 ran.
For All Mankind 33-1 (11-4) Prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 47l behind Iwillrememberyou (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 14, 20l behind Kornati Kid (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
El Zorro 9-1 (10-12) Always prominent, ridden 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon hung left, led flat, just held on, won at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Omme Antique (11-0) by a shd, 15 ran.
Mister Wiseman 50-1 (11-0) Soon led, mistake 2nd, ridden 4 out, headed next, soon faded, last of 5, well behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd.
Ricardo's Chance 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, chased winner 3 out until approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 8l behind Kealshore Lad (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Montana Gold (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased leaders until 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 23l behind Pamak D'airy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
