led, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, chased winner 1 out, ran on flat
chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
held up, in mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, mid-division, headway 4 out, no progress from over 2 out
held up, kept on, never dangerous
in rear, behind, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, jumped right last, kept on, nearest finish
mistakes, race mid-division, weakened after 4 out, blundered next, soon pulled up
in touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened approaching last
Mikado, Maclean and Dr Cerullo are the three for the shortlist here and preference is for Mikado, who was a game scorer last time. A Fontwell winner earlier in the year and a winner on the Flat with Sir Michael Stoute no less, Maclean must be respected. He has gone off the boil recently though and he is overlooked on this occasion. Dr Cerullo is also a Flat winner and he has a win over this course and distance to his credit but he was a beaten favourite at Lingfield last time and the winning penalty may stop him again. Mikado may get the vote and no operatics will be needed. After a promising hurdling debut, he was thrown in to a very competitive contest at Uttoxeter but showed a really pleasing attitude to get up close home and won by a neck. Formerly with Aiden O¿Brien, this son of Sadler¿s Wells also won on the Flat in Ireland, and can land his second jumps success. Mikado gets the vote.
Dr Cerullo 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led soon after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace before last, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Mikado Melody (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Maclean 33-1 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 7th of 13, 19l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct.
Mikado 9-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 1st, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 2 out, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) gs in Oct beating New Team (11-0) by a nk, 15 ran.
Blake Hall Lad (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Steadied start, keen, held up in rear, not trouble leaders, 8th of 9, 11l behind Corky (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) hvy (Flat).
Cryfield 7-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 10th of 16, 11l behind Jordans Spark (8-7) at Newcastle 1m clm hcap (6) sft in Oct (Flat).
Dictator (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 41l behind New Alco (10-13) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (D) gs in Oct.
Flying Spur (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Raced wide, mistake 1st, held up in mid-division, behind from 5th, 10th of 11, 36l behind Motorway (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Gallant Approach (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, mistake and lost place 3rd, mistake next, no impression and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Sea Captain (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Government (IRE) (10-12) behind Hoh Viss (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy, 13 ran.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-0) Towards rear, smooth headway to lead after 2 out, kept on, headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Tandava (11-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Jun.
Mac's Elan 33-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, well behind Sunday City (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (D) gd.
Made In Bruere (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, 13th of 17, 41l behind Tokala (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Nobelmann (GER) 16-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 28l behind Formidable Will (8-7) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs in Oct (Flat).
Terminology 33-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 20l behind Lord Brock (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Jan.
Xamborough (FR) (9-5) Prominent, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun beating Angami (9-6) by a shd, 16 ran (Flat).
Yes Ses Les 25-1 (10-7) Not fluent, always behind, 6th of 10, 33l behind Festive Chimes (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Polish Rhapsody (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Behind when mistake and reminders 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Caper (10-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov sll hdl (G) gf in Mar, 10 ran.
