chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders, led after 6th to 4th out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
always behind
with leaders, led 4th, ridden and headed after 6th, behind when hampered 7th
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, ran on
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, fell 7th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 3rd, headed 4th, led again 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed and weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden 2 out, every chance last, ran on
Youlbesolucky and Armariver look the pick of these and we shall side with the first named. The Jonjo O'Neill inmate is a winner of one bumper and just failed to concede a penalty on the second occasion that he saw the starter. He races prominently and that could be enough round here to get him home over twenty furlongs. Armariver is a half-brother to Armaturk. A step up in trip probably is the right thing to do but hurdling is probably a pre-cursor to chase fencing on this occasion. Wellpict One looks one for the future. He showed solid form under soft conditions during his bumper contests and can pay his way. Gustavo stayed 1m2f on the flat for Barry Hills and makes a hurdling debut for Venetia Williams. Irish Wolf has winning form over hurdles and has to concede a penalty all round. His last run was very disappointing and there are surely bigger dangers here. The well-bred Martovic has all the allowances but has yet to suggest she quite possesses the ability of her parents. Good Samaritan finished second to the progressive Buena Vista in June and could be best of the rest. Plenty of future winners and Youlbesolucky should be the one to score today.
Irish Wolf (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Held up, mistake 1st, headway approaching 8th, ridden and hung left from next, chased winner 3 out to last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Absolut Power (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Allez Mousson 50-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Monte Vista (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft, 10 ran.
Armariver (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching next, one pace from last, 4th of 13, 6l behind Rebel Rhythm (11-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Daggy Boy (NZ) 22-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Marlborough Sound (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gd in May, 16 ran.
Gaining Ground (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up rear, behind from halfway, plugged on, 6th of 9, well behind Best Actor (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Good Samaritan (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and mistake 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Buena Vista (11-3) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (C) gf in Jun.
Gustavo 5-1 (9-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened close home, 4th of 16, 3l behind Bojangles (9-6) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) hvy in May (Flat).
Imperial Royale (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, struggling from 4th, 5th of 16, 34l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gf in May.
Kiss The Girls (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Mason's Arch (10-12) at Tramore 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Mar.
Sandmartin (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden over 4f out, one pace from 2f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Clyffe Hanger (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Sarn 66-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 19l behind United Spirit (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Shem Dylan (NZ) (8-11) won at Makaraka 1m mdn stk sft in Sept '04 beating Ceejay (8-8) by a nk, 11 ran (Flat).
The Muratti 10-1 (10-13) Held up, headway after 7th, not much room on inside on bend approaching 3 out and lost place, no danger after, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Greencard Golf (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in May.
Youlbesolucky (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Always prominent, led 5f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Fountain Crumble (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Aug.
Martovic (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, stumbled badly soon after 3 out, stayed on same pace after, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Captain Cloudy (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Wellpict One (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 16, 17l behind Dancing Partner (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb.
