mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, challenging when left in lead 2 out, headed last, rallied and hard ridden flat, just failed
prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and 1 length up when fell 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after, one pace
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and challenged 3 out, left 3rd briefly 2 out, weakened last
always towards rear, pulled up approaching 2 out
pulled hard early in mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, found nil, eased approaching last
prominent until ridden and weakened after 6th
mid-division, good headway approaching 2 out, challenging when left 2nd 2 out, led last, hard ridden and held on gamely flat
always towards rear, no impression
led to approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened after
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
With fitness pretty much guaranteed on his first start for 763 days we will take OLEG to land this moderate contest for Paul Nicholls, while Bormo and Bonchester Bridge can also both go well. The selection was a maiden in his native France, when trained by Guillaume Macaire, and has not been seen since November of 2006. Soft ground suits him and this trip is ideal for a reintroduction and Harry Skelton is on board to take off a few pounds into the bargain so we will chance him. Bormo represents Alan King and will also be suited by conditions here. Despite being well beaten in a better race at Sandown last time he ran well for long enough and this is not as strong, so he should make his presence felt. Bonchester Bridge is adaptable from two miles up to two-and-a-half and she has plenty of experience to draw upon. She is on a competitive mark and from a yard in great form, so she merits respect, though the ground might just be a bit too soft for her, and the latter comment also applies to Dancewiththedevil. Maximix is weighted to get involved and with trip and ground to suit he can't be ruled out, while Archie Gunn came down at the first when sent off joint favourite at Exeter last time and if his jumping holds up then he has claims. Even so, we will take a chance on Oleg here.
Oleg (FR) (11-3) Led and disputed, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Winner Day (10-6) at Toulouse 2m 1f NH flat in Nov '06.
Bormo (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 14, 32l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakening when hit 2 out, 9th of 11, 24l behind Zahra's Place (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Bonchester Bridge 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 15, 44l behind Aux Le Bahnn (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Archie Gunn 7-2jt-fav (10-6) fell in race won by Suntini (10-1) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Maximix 7-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Aspolan (GER) 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, last of 17, 48l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Mystic Storm 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, tracked leaders next, ridden after last, not quicken, 4th of 13, 2l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Desert Storm (DEN) 50-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 11, 18l behind Thundering Star (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Young Tot (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, no impression, 8th of 11, well behind Suntini (10-1) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up last, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, went second after last, kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Wise Men Say (10-7) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Pas De Baratin (FR) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, well behind Olympian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Morestead (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Jumped left, led, ridden after 3 out, headed when blundered last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Art Exhibition (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Share My Dream (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Held up rear, headway after 4th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 11l behind Wildbach (10-10) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Chilbury Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 17, 34l behind Norisan (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
