with leader, led after 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, hit last, headed run-in, one pace
led, headed after 3rd, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 6th, soon ridden, headway next, led run-in , kept on well
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, mid-division, ridden after 4 out, kept on from last
in touch, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, mistake 3rd, headway 4 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden after 4 out, in 3rd and one pace when blundered 3 out
held up mid-division, blundered 5th, weakened after next
mid-division, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up
Clueless gets the narrow vote here over Renada, Best Game and Lankawi. The selection was a useful sort on the flat and his form has been particularly impressive since being gelded. He is still maturing and looks the type who may have plenty of improvement in him and looks one who could have a big future over hurdles. Renada rates the main danger as she hails from the Howard Johnson yard and although she didn't look to be anything special on the level, she did win well on her hurdling debut when beating Dennick at Newcastle. She looks the type who will do better over further in time and we are prepared to take her on. Lankawi won well last time at Wetherby when beating Dafarabad but he will find life tougher here under his penalty and his hurdling will need to improve if he is to get competitive today. Best Game is another worth a mention as he did nothing wrong when second behind Take A Mile at Fakenham, but he lacks the scope of our selection and for the winner we will return to Clueless who is taken to make a winning debut over hurdles.
Lankawi 12-1 (10-12) With leader, led after 3rd, hit 3 out, kept on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Dafarabad (10-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Best Game 9-1 (10-12) Soon led, headed last, weakened flat, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Take A Mile (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Clueless 5-1 (8-11) Keen, broke well, mid-division after 2f, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, soon edged right and no impression, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Power Glory 13-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, improved 4f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 14l behind Rood Boy (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Dec (Flat).
Renada 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden to chase leader approaching 3 out, led after last, kept on, won at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov beating Dennick (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, quickly weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Renada (9-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 6l behind Shiny Thing (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
William Tell (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) In touch, led after 2f, headed well over 3f out, ridden and lost pace over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 13l behind Bessemer (9-12) at Redcar 1m 2f clm (6) gf in Jun (Flat).
