tracked leaders, raced keenly, pushed along after 6th, weakened 2 out, mistake last
pulled hard in touch, not fluent 6th, hanging left when hit 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders to 2nd, pushed along 5th, outpaced after next, plugged on to take moderate 4th flat
led to 2nd, pressed leader, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led last, asserted flat, ran on
pulled hard in rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, pushed along to go 5th before 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, no chance with front pair
pulled hard in rear, not fluent 5th, no chance when mistake 2 out, blundered last
with leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed when hit last, no extra towards finish
Drawback ran well on his first two starts over hurdles and would have every chance if able to reproduce a similar level of form here but Heather Dalton's gelding disappointed over course and distance when last seen over timber in November so he looks best watched in a race taken to go to OVERTLY BLUE, who gets the vote ahead of Shiwawa. Alan Swinbank's gelding has yet to run up to the same level of form that he showed in bumpers where he won his first three starts prior to finishing a creditable third in a decent race at Sandown. He showed improved form over timber when a fair third behind Thumbs Up here last month and, with further improvement to come, he has to be respected. Rileyev won on his only start in France but gave little sign of encouragement on his debut for Venetia Williams so is hard to recommend. Silver Point has shown a reasonable level of form in two starts for Evan Williams since coming from France and is another to consider but it is Overtly Blue that gets the vote. Nicky Henderson's gelding has shown promise in bumpers and in two starts over hurdles. The drop back in trip should suit the son of Epervier Bleu, who is taken to continue the good run for Nicky Henderson.
Drawback (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked winner, until ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by My Moment (11-8) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Nephin Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, no danger from soon after 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 16th of 22, well behind Prince Rudi (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Overtly Blue (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenge going well after 3 out, beaten before last, weakened flat, 4th of 14, 12l behind Bulwark (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Shiwawa 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader to 2nd, ridden 3 out, not clear run and switched left approaching last, mistake and one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Thumbs Up (11-1) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Silver Point (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Chased clear leader, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, pecked last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Another Bottle (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Solway Star 20-1 (10-7) Held up, pushed along 6th, headway after next, no impression, 5th of 12, 46l behind Carsonstown Boy (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
William's Way 14-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up, headway when not clear run over 4f out, ridden 3f out, no further progress, 7th of 13, 27l behind Annie's Answer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun '06.
Rileyev (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 41l behind Ski Sunday (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
