chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon joined, ridden and headed last, one pace and soon lost 2nd
took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, chased leading pair after 2 out, went 2nd soon after last, kept on flat, no chance with winner
in touch, headway to go 3rd 3 out, upsides 2 out, led approaching last, driven and stayed on strongly
held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
held up, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened rapidly
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in rear, 5th and staying on one pace when hit last
tracked leader, weakened rapidly 4 out, tailed off
in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
in touch, weakened after 3 out, 6th and beaten when fell heavily last
In the opener on an excellent day of racing at Cheltenham, we will side with Tidal Bay ahead of Wichita Lineman and Michael Muck. You had to be taken by the way that Tidal Bay dealt with Kicks For Free over a shorter trip at this track last time and, despite the steadier of 11st 12lbs on testing going, he still has to be given every chance; he looks very useful. There is not much between Wichita Lineman and Massini's Maguire based on 17-furlong course form from November but the former may just have made the better progress and rates as a big danger; he certainly proved too good for a decent performer in Sir Jimmy Shand last time. Much as he was beaten at Chepstow last time, Michael Muck will appreciate today's longer trip and should not be ruled out. With solid yardsticks Zilcash and Carlitos also in the line-up, we should get a very good idea as to the value of the form of this contest, which will probably rate as very useful. Once again, then, for the selection, we will side with Tidal Bay.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged from 4th, narrow lead next 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 45l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 13-8 (11-8) Prominent, led after 2 out, strongly challenged approaching last, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Kicks For Free (11-8) by 6l, 13 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, jumped left last, driven clear flat, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec beating Sir Jimmy Shand (11-7) by 8l, 8 ran.
Michael Muck 10-11fav (11-5) Led, stumbled 4 out, ridden next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Only For Sue (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Osana (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) In touch, headway from 5th, chased winner from 3 out, ridden and no impression from last, kept on, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Carlitos 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Tagula Blue (11-4) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Don Castille (USA) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leading pair until after 5th, hit 6th and 7th, soon weakened, left poor 4th 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Pirate Flagship (11-6) at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Hills Of Aran 33-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 6th, tracked leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Labelthou (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Master Eddy 66-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, led again 6th to 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Lujain Rose 66-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, always towards rear, 6th of 9, 27l behind Cash On (11-1) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Zilcash 7-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, tracked winner from next, not fluent 2 out, ridden soon after, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Labelthou (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
