held up towards rear, moderate effort approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up and always in rear
tracked leader, every chance 2 out, chased winner and mistake last, no chance flat
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from next, eased when no chance flat
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up approaching 2 out
prominent, chased leading pair 3 out, weakened approaching next
in touch, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon chased leader, led approaching last, drew right away flat, easily
chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 2 out
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out, hit last 2
behind, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never going pace to reach leaders
behind, driven and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon lost place, well behind 3 out
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
led until headed approaching last, no extra flat
in rear, soon tailed off
Plenty of chances in this valuable affair and the ones for the shortlist are Self Respect, Miss Academy, Verasi and Heathcote and we take a speculative punt about Miss Academy. Miss Academy has had the benefit of a recent run at Lingfield where she did not disgrace herself under top-weight and having shown form on the ground, the Aintree Festival fourth, could be well in off today's mark. Self Respect could be expected to run a big race from the in-form Alan King stable. He has no respect for hurdles and that could be his undoing. Overstrand landed a morning gamble last Sunday and has reportedly been the subject of plenty of interest in the betting shops this week. This is a step up in grade but he would not be out of it on some of his older lines of form. Caracciola ran well behind Desert Quest at Ascot but the handicapper has spitefully raised him in the handicap and this might prevent him from obliging despite Jamie Snowden's 5lb allowance. Verasi finished a close-up fifth in the Coral Cup and warrants some respect as he hails from a yard that are known to tilt prizes of this nature. Heathcote showed improved form at Haydock last week and has scope for further improvement. Fenix took advantage of the hapless Dusky Lord in order to oblige on Sunday but faces a much sterner assessment of his credentials here. Competitive fare given the prize money and Miss Academy is selected as the speculative wager.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Nathos (GER) 9-2 (11-8) Held up, steady headway 7th until 2 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 11l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Whispered Promises (USA) 14-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, chased leader to 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 17l behind Afsoun (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Verasi 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and no extra approaching last, 5th of 16, 15l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Fenix (GER) 4-1 (10-4) In touch, joined leaders 6th, led after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Gods Token (10-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Self Respect (USA) 10-3 (11-8) Tracked leader and keen, jumped right from 4th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Kicks For Free (11-8) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Heathcote 10-1 (9-13) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Overstrand (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov beating Mohawk Star (10-8) by 9l, 9 ran.
Miss Academy (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Daryal (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Guru 8-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 5th, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Daryal (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Rosecliff 33-1 (11-9) Held up, hit 1st, headway 3 out, kept on, 4th of 13, 18l behind Berengario (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Star Shot (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and hung left from 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 8, 6l behind Take A Mile (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Nation State 9-1 (10-11) In touch, slipped after 2nd and lost place, headway 4 out, faded before last, 5th of 7, 10l behind Tarlac (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
Ellway Prospect 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headwayr 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov beating Devito (10-5) by 6l, 16 ran.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 12, 5l behind Sea The Light (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led, soon clear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May beating I'm Your Man (9-10) by 5l, 11 ran.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Overstrand (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
