in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to after 2nd, stayed front rank until driven and weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged from 4th, narrow lead next 3 out, weakened next
in rear, not fluent 5th, plugged on to take poor 3rd 2 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led after 2nd to 5th, stayed tracking leader, regained lead 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, soon ridden and wandered, held when jumped left last, weakened flat
held up tracking leaders, headway approaching 3 out, jumped left and led narrowly 2 out, in command when jumped left last, driven clear flat
held up tracking leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Kanpai is going from strength to strength and is fancied to help his trainer, John O'Shea, get one over on the big boys; Witchita Lineman and Massini's Maguire are sure to make this a stiff test, while Battle Cry should not be underestimated. The last named posted a significant sighter towards his true strengths when he finished third in a strong looking bumper at Cheltenham last month. He was in the process of running a big race when he made a novicey mistake on his return to Prestbury Park three weeks ago. But, as he is sure to have been well schooled since then, he rates as good value in a hot contest like this. Witchita Lineman - a half-brother to Rinestone Cowboy - had his colours lowered by Massini's Maguire last month but didn't go down without a fight. However, he has every chance of reversing the form on these terms and is expected to be the main danger to the selection. Even so, Kanpai has been a revelation since he switched to the winter game and is fancied to pull out the extra effort required when push comes to shove.
Battlecry 25-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 2 out, 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft, 13 ran.
Kanpai (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, challenged 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, all out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Mr Strachan (11-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 2nd and 6th, blundered badly and unseated rider in race won by Flight Leader (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft, 8 ran.
Roll Along (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, left 7th, hung left from 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Kontinent (11-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Rothbury 20-1 (11-8) Always prominent, tracked leader after 6th, hit 8th, led before 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, kept on, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gd in Nov beating The Last Viking (10-11) by 4l, 20 ran.
Sir Jimmy Shand (IRE) 5-4jt-fav (11-5) Made all, shaken up approaching 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, won at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating It's In The Stars (10-12) by 8l, 15 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 7th, driven along after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Massini's Maguire (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Mossville (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) In touch, headway after 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened and mistake last, 2nd of 16, well behind Labelthou (11-3) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
