prominent, weakened under pressure after 3 out
held up, headway 3rd, hit next, went 2nd 3 out, led and 4 lengths ahead when fell 2 out
in touch, niggled along from 4th, outpaced 3 out, hard ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead and left clear last
prominent, lost place after 4th, back in touch before 3 out, soon struggling, went 3rd after last
led until after 1st, led again 3rd, headed and four lengths down when left in lead and hampered 2 out, headed when fell last
pulled hard, led after 1st, mistake next, headed 3rd, struggling after 3 out, left 2nd last
held up in rear, raced keenly, effort after 3 out, soon no impression
held up in rear, lost touch approaching 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The handicapper has taken a dim view of the successes of Prince Taime and Cortinas but they may still be sufficiently progressive to be competitive here; the Hobbs runner is selected. There are concerns about his initial mark and about his absence from the track but the form of his win at Warwick in November is working out pretty well and offers sufficient encouragement to suggest that he should be competitive. There should also be plenty more to come from Cortinas who ran on well to get the better of the ill-fated The Grey Berry at Huntingdon but he's eleven pounds higher. King's Head disappointed over course and distance last time but he may yet prove capable of better and he's sure to have his supporters with McCoy doing the steering. First Point and Sharp Dresser are also considered but we'll take Prince Taime to give weight and a beating to the opposition.
Poliglotti (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went second after 3 out until next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 21l behind Chantaco (11-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Stravara 12-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, no further impression, 4th of 11, 9l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Sharp Dresser (USA) 7-4fav (10-1) Chased leaders, shaken up to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs beating Jocheski (10-8) by 7l, 12 ran.
Prince Taime (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, challenging when hit last, ridden flat, led towards finish, won at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Ouzbeck (11-5) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Cortinas (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 4th, challenged going well 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar beating The Grey Berry (11-0) by 4l, 14 ran.
Pagan Sword 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, raced keenly, hit 2 out, challenged and led last, hard driven flat, all out, won at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar beating Compromiznotension (11-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
First Point (GER) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 5th and 3 out, effort after 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 15l behind Quizzene (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Johnny Bissett (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon struggling, 12th of 13, 24l behind Majaales (11-4) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
