chased leading pair to approaching 3 out, ridden to regain 3rd before 2 out, held when hit last
made virtually all, strongly pressed last, driven and held on gamely run-in
in touch, headway to chase leading pair before 3 out until weakened under pressure before 2 out
held up, hit 2nd, no chance from 4th, beaten when hit 2 out
chased winner, upsides when not fluent last, driven and every chance run-in but held near finish
held up last, hit 3rd, never reached challenging position after
chased leaders, weakened under pressure before 3 out, finished tired, virtually pulled up run-in, tailed off
In the opener, Paradi is selected ahead of Markington and Lester Leaps In. After winning at Leicester, Paradi was fifth in a very good juvenile event at Chepstow last time and is taken to resume winning ways today. Markington showed that he was improving when winning at Catterick last time, while Dynamic Rhythm has shown some promise, not least when fifth behind Mountain here last time. James Street is a seven-furlong Flat winner, although we could not be strong on him to win first time up over hurdles but, a ten-furlong winner on the Flat, the Nicky Henderson-trained Lester Leaps In could be interesting on his debut. As could Warsaw Pact, an 80s-rated mainly all-weather performer on the Flat. Overall, though, we will stick with Paradi.
Markington 7-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Folk Tune (10-12) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Paradi (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader and keen, led after 4th, ridden and heaed 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 21l behind Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, not reached leaders, 5th of 12, 13l behind Mountain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
James Street (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 4l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Lester Leaps In (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Cantabilly (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Patoma (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Hit 1st, held up and never dangerous, 5th of 12, well behind Katies Tuitor (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, hung left and wide into straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Acrobatic (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sept (Flat).