chased leaders, driven along 6th, one pace
always behind, struggling from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 3rd, left in lead 4th, headed 6th, weakened approaching next
held up, outpaced 3 out
prominent, led 2 out, driven out
in touch, lost place 3 out
chased leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, outpaced from 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden next, stayed on from last
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 3 out
in rear, headway 6th, one pace from 2 out
pulled hard, saddle soon slipped, led 3rd, pulled up before 4th
Estate has to be respected on the evidence of the form shown when running out the winner of a Bangor handicap when last seen in August but the combination of an absence since plus a 7lb rise since leaves him with more to do and preference is for Katies Tutor, with Adjami rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has been highly tried in his last two starts, latterly in the big four-year-old hurdle at the Punchestown festival, and he looks well treated for his debut in a handicap so gets the vote to resume winning ways. Top weight Nawamees seems plenty high enough in the handicap at present, while Gringo has been heavily punished by the handicapper for his win at Kelso last month and has been well held since. Majorca is racing for the first time since December but does represent the yard of Ferdy Murphy that has been in good form of late so lack of a recent run need not be of concern and he makes more appeal than Hilltime, who could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Alan King's Adjami would have claims on the pick of his form but is inconsistent and preference is for the four-year-old Katies Tutor.
Nawamees (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 19, 24l behind Adopted Hero (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Estate 7-1 (10-1) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, hit 6th, pecked 3 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Aug beating Crow Wood (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hilltime (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, joined leaders 5 out, ridden before 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Spinaround (10-6) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf.
Gringo 20-1 (9-7) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, one pace, 12th of 23, 11l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Adjami (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Chased winner until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 31l behind Sunday City (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Katies Tuitor 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 6th, in touch when pecked badly 3 out, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 17l behind Punjabi (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Sun King 16-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, some headway 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 13, 40l behind Lennon (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr.
Majorca 4-1co-fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, not much room approaching 2 out, soon ridden, hit last and one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Double Vodka (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
