in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, dropped to rear 5f out, soon ridden, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
held up, ridden and headway 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway 3f out, stayed on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish
in touch, ridden 6f out, soon struggling
in touch, led over 2f out, kept on gamely, driven out
This should not take much winning and we shall take King Caine to oblige over Merlin's Magic, Kavatcha, Malmoos and Cool Cliche. King Caine was sent off as favourite on his debut at Wincanton on Boxing Day, but was put in his place by West Ridge. The experience will not be lost on him, and he can make a bold bid to get the losses back. He should at the very least again take care of She's A Player who was back in third last time, and a bigger danger appears to be Merlin's Magic who found only the odds-on Greenbridge too good on his debut here three weeks ago, with Malmoos back in third. Kavatcha is one to keep an eye on in the market, given his connections, while Cool Cliche will come into his own when put into staying hurdle events in time. Today though, King Caine is the one to be on.
Charming Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until weakened 5f out, last of 8, 27l behind Golden Child (10-13) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) sft in Nov.
Cool Cliche Classic Cliche gelding, brother to winning hurdler Love Of Classics, half-brother to winning hurdler Wimbledonian.
King Caine (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 4f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 14, 7l behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Listen Son (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, well behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Meersbrook (USA) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened over 6f out, 8th of 19, 46l behind Alternator (11-0) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Merlin's Magic (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Greenbridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) sft.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Swerved badly left start and ran out in race won by Galoshes (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) hvy, 12 ran.
Sherfield Don 50-1 (11-1) Took keen hold in rear, headway 9f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Golden Child (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
The Parting Glass (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 35l behind St Wilfrid (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Imperial Amber 66-1 (10-2) Mid-division, weakened 4f out, 9th of 11, well behind Cave Hill (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
She's A Player 20-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden and effort 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 11l behind West Ridge (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Yellow Jersey 100-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 19, 50l behind Alternator (11-0) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Kavatcha (FR) Nikos gelding out of 1m3f and hurdles winner Kaleigh's Jovite.
Malmoos (USA) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Greenbridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) sft.
