pressed leader, led before 3rd, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression with front pair flat
tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway and in touch before 3rd, effort before 2 out, soon ridden and every chance, no extra before last
mid-division in touch, ridden after 3 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2
held up behind, headway before 2 out, chased leaders between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, lost touch after 3 out, pulled up next
held up behind, headway before 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on to chase winner from last, always held
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, never near leaders, weakened before next
led to before 3rd, in touch, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
in touch on outside, effort when not fluent 2 out, one pace between last 2, mistake last, no impression flat
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out flat, kept on well
mid-division, shaken up to chase leaders before 2 out, soon one pace, never on terms, weakened between last 2
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened between last 2
Last year’s winner Man Of Plenty races off the same mark but has never reproduced that form. Stablemate Sleep Easy only won a seller at Taunton but Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand with the classy mare Malaya and Ashutor, who has been getting closer. Song For Someone has a terrific strike-rate and won in a hack canter at Fontwell but has been rewarded with an 11lb rise. Mack The Man has only gone up 7lb for winning at Warwick and SMARTY WILD is only 4lb higher than when scoring at Exeter. The latter will enjoy today’s conditions and may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. This is much too short for Theo's Charm while Protektorat remains winless, though is the least exposed.
Song For Someone (GER) 8-1 (12-0) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear before 2 out, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Colonel Custard (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Malaya (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Not So Sleepy (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Smarty Wild 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd between last 2, produced to lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Manvers House (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 7-4jfav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway before 3 out, led after 3 out, headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Barntown (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Distingo (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracking leaders on inside in 4th place when blundered badly and fell 5th, at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Aiguille Rouge (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Raced in 3rd or 4th, took keen hold, closed and switched left 2 out, every chance last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Esprit De Somoza (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (2) sft in Jan.
Protektorat (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Behind, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, soon challenged, headed close home, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, hd behind Keen On (11-0) at Sandown 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Man Of Plenty 14-1 (10-10) Held up behind, struggling after 4 out, never involved, 8th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Bold Plan (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sleep Easy 13-8 (11-0) Always prominent, led soon after 3 out, 4 lengths clear 2 out, driven out run in, won at Taunton 2m 3f (5) gd in Nov beating Utility (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ruacana 13-8fav (11-11) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on, went never dangerous 4th flat, 4th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Shaw's Cross (10-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mack The Man (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed after 3rd, challenged 2 out, led before not fluent last, pushed out, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Lightly Squeeze (11-6) by 2l, 14 ran.
Ashutor (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed before last, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Haafapiece (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Groveman 8-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 17, nk behind Where's Jeff (9-5) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
