mid-division, hit 5th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, ran on
mid-division until weakened after 6th
behind, ridden 6th, never near leaders
towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
led, mistake 1st, headed after 6th, weakened next
towards rear, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, led final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden to lead after 6th, headed approaching next, weakened quickly
chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next
prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
in touch, lost place after 5th, soon behind
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, stayed on
behind, headway approaching 2 out, ran on flat, nearest at finish
With so many in with chances, only marginal preference is for Cunning Pursuit over the likes of Terre De Java, New Currency, Critical Stage and Wiscalitus to name but a few. This is really hard to predict, with not many lining up in any sort of form, but hopefully the slight drop back in trip will help the cause of Cunning Pursuit. Nicky Henderson's charge ran his best races on fast ground when with Michael Bell on the Flat so conditions should be in his favour today at least. The son of Pursuit Of Love duly made a winning start to his new career when scraping home in softer conditions at Wincanton in December, but has not progressed as much as would have been hoped in three outings this year. However, at the age of four, he still has more scope than most of his rivals here and is worth persevering with as he is sure to be placed to good effect sooner or later. Terre de Java needed his first run in three months at Bangor recently so did well to get second, but is destined to go back over fences soon. New Currency was rated in the 80's on the level in Ireland where he was successful on soft ground, but he has yet to impress at all since going hurdling. Critical Stage does at least hail from an in-form stable so should be noted in the market, and Wiscalitus has topweight but has been highly tried this term. The ground will probably be too fast for him as well though, and so we return to Cunning Pursuit as the tentative selection.
