always in touch, ridden to lead after 2 out, soon clear
always prominent, every chance 2 out, beaten when mistake last
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, one pace after 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 5th, pulled up before 6th
held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 5th, pulled up before next
keen, with leader, ridden, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, until lost place 5th, never dangerous
led, ridden, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch until weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
Sakenos is the choice in a very tricky hurdle event, Oscatello, Waterloo Son and the newcomer Hot Rod, are put forward as the main rivals. The Phillip Hobbs trained six-year-old has looked very green in his two races to date but has still managed to show plenty of ability. His first run was in a decent race won by Kalmini and he followed that with a second placing behind Mystery Lot. The experience will not be lost on him and he can get his head in front this afternoon. Oscatello and Waterloo Son both have winning form in modest company and are holding their form well, although neither has much scope for impreovement. Hot Rod is the dark horse in the race. He is a son of Overbury and cost 92 thousand Euros as a four-year-old. From a top yard he is certainly worth a look in the betting. The once raced Pagan Sky is another with each-way-claims, but Sakenos can take advantage of the weight concession from his two main rivals and gets the the decision.
Oscatello (USA) 5-2fav (10-11) Led to 3rd, stayed tracking leader, led approaching 2 out, joined and hard pressed last, headed and soon no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Temoin (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Waterloo Son (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 8l behind Secured (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Jan.
A Few Kind Words (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden and hung left over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 33l behind What A Vintage (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
Airgusta (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 9, 26l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f banded stk (7) pol in Jan (Flat).
Carnival Town 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Orcadian (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Corble (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, weakened quickly after 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind Orcadian (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Hot Rod (IRE) Overbury gelding out of winning hurdler Belle Rose.
Kobai (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-4) Chased leaders, stumbled 7th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 16, 44l behind Molostiep (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Pagan Sky (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders to 5th, behind when mistake 2 out, 8th of 13, well behind Mith Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Sakenos (POL) 5-2 (11-2) Prominent, headway 5th, chased winner 3 out, hit last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 16l behind Mystery Lot (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Spike Jones (NZ) 14-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Gods Token (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Giovanna 7-1 (11-0) Held up , making headwaywhen mistake 3 out, no impression when hit next, 5th of 12, 6l behind Trompette (10-4) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Silk Appeal 50-1 (10-2) Always in the rear, 14th of 15, well behind Valley Ride (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan '05.
Illuminati 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 47l behind Noland (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (1) gs in Feb.
Lindbergh Law (USA) 16-1 (11-3) Always behind, 5th of 9, 28l behind Call Oscar (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Marghub (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 11, 47l behind Hefin (8-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (E) pol in Jul '03 (Flat).
