led and soon clear, blundered and headed 2 out, tired and went left, blundered badly last
in touch in chasing group, weakened before 2 out
close up in chasing group, hard ridden, close up before 2 out, driven and stayed on approaching last, chased leading pair flat, ran on to lead final 75 yards
took keen hold, close up in chasing group, closed to lead 2 out, blundered and headed last, not quicken flat
held up, headway to close on leaders, going well before 2 out, led last, no extra and headed final 75 yards
chased leaders, ridden 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked clear leader, closed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, hit 5th, weakened after next
pulled hard, steadied rear after 2nd, soon well behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, weakened before 3 out
behind, mistake 3rd, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, under pressure and hit 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Green Iceni can keep up the decent run enjoyed by Nicky Henderson recently, with Man Ray, Meadow Hawk, The Castilian and Sargasso Sea others in with a shout. Green Iceni was having his first outing in 21 months when a shade unlucky on his return to action at Stratford in October, holding every chance when a blunder stopped him in his tracks. He then had the misfortune to bump into an unexposed sort in the shape of Not Left Yet at Cheltenham where he stuck to his task well in finishing second. He will be spot on now, and should take all the beating. Man Ray was beaten a neck on his handicap debut at Exeter a fortnight ago, giving weight to the winner Sunnyarjun, and although not appearing to find a great deal when let down, he too will be fitter now and has the assistance of Tony McCoy. Meadow Hawk may find the ground to testing today, especially with his penalty, but with Graham Lee an eye-catching booking, he cannot be totally ruled out. Nor can Sargasso Sea whose trainer had a well supported winner at Wincanton on Thursday, and with Martin Pipe having sent out three of the last four winners of this event, it would be folly to rule out the chance of The Castilian, even though his stamina will be tested to the limit. The progressive Green Iceni is the one to beat.
Sargasso Sea 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led after 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 20l behind Itsmyboy (10-13) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (F) hvy in May.
Hatteras (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Made most, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 11l behind Cold Turkey (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Green Iceni 8-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 3 out, chased winner soon after 2 out, no impression and hit last, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Not Left Yet (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Nov.
Alph 11-2 (11-1) Held up, headway approaching 6th, led soon after 3 out, ridden approaching last, eased near finish, won at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov beating Rebel Raider (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Man Ray (USA) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway approaching 5th, challenged 3 out, led on bit 2 out, looked in command last, headed flat, 2nd of 10, nk behind Sunnyarjun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Meadow Hawk (USA) 5-2fav (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders from 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov beating Lord Nellsson (10-6) by 3l, 16 ran.
Argent Ou Or (FR) 8-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out and weakened next, 9th of 24, 33l behind Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov.
Amnesty 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden and weakened under pressure next, 7th of 10, 25l behind Dolzago (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
Instant Appeal 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, joined winner 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Sh Boom (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Mar '03.
Esplendidos (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-6) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 11, 29l behind Seveneightsix (9-7) at Leicester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in Nov.
The Castilian (FR) 5-1 (10-9) In rear, good headway 6th, chased leaders before 2 out, kept on but no impression after 2 out, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Magot De Grugy (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Oct.
Kristinor (FR) 6-5fav (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, hit 3 out, 3rd when blundered 2 out, not recover, 6th of 13, 25l behind Palace Walk (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Strathtay 2-1fav (10-3) Prominent, led approaching 5th, driven after 3 out, clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gf in Nov beating Jamaaron (10-3) by 7l, 12 ran.
Duncanbil (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Prominent to 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Oscar Park (11-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
