led, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, every chance last, 3rd and held when not much room near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden into narrow advantage 2 out, edged right flat, no extra when headed close home
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next, not reached leaders
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
chased leaders until 5th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, went 3rd 3 out, switched left and not fluent 2 out, soon shaken up, kept on well to lead close home, pushed out
held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, soon ridden, 5th and held when fell last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until 4th, tailed off after 3 out
An intriguing contest opens Sandown's action, with French raider Pommerol fancied to atone for his mishap at Cheltenham in December; Mountain - a classy recruit from the Flat - and the talented but so far frustrating Ned Ludd are forwarded as obvious dangers. Nedd Ludd has done very little wrong in his last handful of starts and deserves a good deal of respect. He should cope with the ground and, as a stiff finish suits him well, a bold attempt looks assured. However, the selection's trainer already has a good handle on the worth of his the form line that ties in Ned Ludd with Good Bye Simon, so must be confident about another successful raid on British prize-money. Mountain (pardon the pun) may be the biggest obstacle in they way this afternoon. The son of Montjeu has been gelded since joining the ranks at Jonjo O'Neill's yard in the Cotswolds and has reportedly schooled like a demon. He is already vying for favouritism in the Triumph Hurdle and looks certain to be a very popular choice today. Still, that scenario will only help to make the price for us with Pommerol, whose French form stands up to scrutiny, and he is fancied to be hard to beat granted a clear round today.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace to chase winner last, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Pommerol (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, disputing close 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Counting House (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Prominent on inner, effort and not clear run on inner inside final 2f, soon ridden and not quicken, 5th of 9, 6l behind Rayhani (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul (Flat).
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, weakened 5th, badly hampered next, left poor 3rd after 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Gabier (9-2) In touch, ran on well final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Vantage Point (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f 3yo stk sft in Oct (Flat).
Honour's Dream (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, close up when fell 4 out in race won by Impeccable Guest (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Kinetic Power (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch and keen, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 17, 26l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Mountain (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) In touch, headway to chase leader over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Short Skirt (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Pepito Collonges (FR) (10-3) 3rd of 11, 8l behind Walter Du Berlais (10-5) at Lyon Parilly 2m 1f chs sft in Nov.
Sir Rique (FR) (8-13) won at Machecoul 1m 4f stk gd in Oct beating Play Poli (9-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Steak N Kidney (USA) 100-1 (8-9) Started slowly, always in rear, 15th of 17, 22l behind Participation (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct '05 (Flat).
Moonlight Music (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, 38l behind Gracechurch (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
