took keen hold, led, clear 2nd until approaching 4th where headed, remained chasing leader, ridden and 3 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, all out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, reminders after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway after 4th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
chased leader until after 2nd, remained prominent, ridden 3 out, hampered 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, lost place before 3 out, rallied before 2 out, chased winner, switched right and mistake last, stayed on towards finish
held up in rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish
chased leader after 2nd, led 4th, ridden and 3 lengths clear when fell 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden 5th, soon lost touch, no chance when mistake last
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch from 5th, tailed off
It will be interesting to see how the market shapes up for the newcomers Bite The Boss and Foresight but ELK TRAIL sets a decent standard and Pam Sly's gelding looks the one they all have to beat. Capbale on the flat, the son of Captain Rio not surprisingly handled the cut in the ground when running out a comfortable winner at Catterick on his hurdling debut last month and he can follow up. Double Parked was of a similar level of ability on the flat to the selection but was well held first time up over hurdles and looks best watched so a bigger threat may come from some interesting newcomers. Don McCain has his string in fine form so his runner, Foresight, has to be considered as does David Pipe's Bite The Boss. Stage Acclaim showed some promise at Taunton and has place claims, while the ex-Irish Zarilan who is now with Evan Williams may be a doubtful stayer. There are several unexposed runners in the field but Elk Trail has the best proven form over timber and he gets the vote.
Elk Trail (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, led between last 2, driven when clear last, eased near finish, won at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating River Ardeche (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Ben Ami 20-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 10th of 12, well behind Torphichen (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bite The Boss 9-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 33l behind Anfield Road (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Double Parked (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, last of 6, 20l behind Amore Mio (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Foresight 12-1 (9-2) Prominent and keen, weakened over 3f out, soon behind, last of 9, 43l behind Look To This Day (9-7) at Bath 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
King's Alchemist 28-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 19l behind Colonel Sherman (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Le Brocquy 20-1 (10-12) In touch, went 2nd after 3 out until before next, weakened and tired jump last, 5th of 9, 22l behind Ray Diamond (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Okafranca (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Stow (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner 6th until after 3 out, soon no chance, 3rd of 13, 27l behind Qozak (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Top Ticket (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) In touch, not fluent 6th, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 13, 43l behind Qozak (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Zarilan (IRE) 5-2 (9-13) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Miss Christophene (8-3) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs (Flat).
