mid-division, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
pulled hard towards rear, weakened after 5th, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on from last
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, chased leader 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
keen early, tracked leader, mistake 5th, led 6th to 3 out, ridden after 3 out, 4th and held when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, some headway approaching 5th, lost touch 6th
chased leaders, led on bit 3 out, quicken clear approaching 2 out, unchallenged
held up towards rear, shaken up on wide outside after 3 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, nearest finish
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 5th
mid-division, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace after
chased leader, led 3rd to 6th, soon ridden, kept on one pace
towards rear, jumped left 2nd, weakened 6th, pulled up before 2 out
Siberian Highness can prove too good for Massif Centrale, with Topkat, Grand Bay and Dark Parade likely to make their presence felt at some stage. Alan King won this event 12 months ago with Daryal and will fancy his chances this time round with Siberian Highness who bids to atone for her surprise defeat at Folkestone a month ago. Prior to that, she had looked one to follow when scoring decisively on her Warwick debut, and there was an excuse for her odds-on failure next time, as she came back with an injured knee. Given a month to recover, the filly, who was not far off Listed-class in France, is taken to bounce back and put herself back on track for the Cheltenham Festival. It was hoped that Massif Centrale would make up into a Cup horse on the level, but this half-brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Indian Haven failed to shine last year and so connections have now decided to pop him over timber. He could turn out to be a smart recruit, but is perhaps best watched with his jumping ability in mind. Topkat was a capable middle-distance performer on the Flat and shaped fairly well behind stablemate Acambo on his hurdles debut here in November. Ex-French Grand Bay looks like he possibly needs further based on his two runs so far, while Dark Parade was a stayer on the all-weather and he too will probably be tapped for toe. Siberian Highness is held in high regard and can pay to follow.
Chaplin 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4th pulled up 3 out in race won by Fabulous Jet (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd, 16 ran.
Danehill Prince (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, chased leaders 4f, 15th of 16, 24l behind Geespot (8-6) at Lingfield 7f sll (G) pol in Dec '02 (Flat).
Dark Parade (ARG) (9-13) won at Mijas 1m 6f hcp gd in Jul beating A Girl Called Dave (7-12) by a distance, 6 ran (Flat).
Grand Bay (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 4th, headway 6th, ridden, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 14, 13l behind Arry Dash (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, under pressure 3 out, no danger after, 6th of 12, 13l behind Alph (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Island Light (USA) 150-1 (11-2) Towards rear when fell 4 out in race won by Acambo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gf in Nov, 13 ran.
Massif Centrale 25-1 (9-8) Behind, weakened over 3f out, last of 12, well behind Ouninpohja (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sept (Flat).
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, left in lead after 5th, headed 7th, ridden and soon weakened, 6th of 11, 40l behind Private Be (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Siberian Highness (FR) 1-3fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, driven and headway after 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Warningcamp (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Topkat (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Prominent, chased leader 6th, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, not quicken, 5th of 13, 7l behind Acambo (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gf in Nov.
Irenie 100-1 (11-2) Always in rear, slow jump 7th, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Harringay (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
Investment Wings (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Tarabut (9-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f app mdn hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Legally Fast (USA) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 14l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd.
Danzare 100-1 (10-5) Behind, no chance when hampered 4th, 13th of 24, well behind Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
