mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out
keen, in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear, tailed off when mistake 2 out
behind, ridden and some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, hit 5th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out
keen, in touch, ridden to join leader and hit 2 out, led and hung left approaching last, ran on
led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on
chased leader to approaching 3 out, weakened before next
pulled hard in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened quickly
ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, pushed along and headway when mistake 2 out, kept on, never nearer
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind, kept on from 2 out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden when mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, tailed up when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
The three main contenders will be Fourty Acers, Corals Laurel and Fier Normand with the vote going to the last named. A winner in Ireland of a bumper and then second on his only start over hurdles last time out at Stratford Fier Normand looks a progressive type and only has to recapture his form in his only start this season to win. Martin Pipes horses are not running well at present and his strike rate in the past two weeks is less than five percent but Fourty Acres has some good form figures beside his name. He won at Stratford back in September and was not discredited when second behind Sea Of Light at Exeter last time out so is worth noting in the market. As is Corals Laurel who comes from a yard producing winners of late and although he has not run for nearly a year he did win his first ever race in public last year in bumper company so is one to note. But for the winner we return to Fier Normand.
Alf's Spinney 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 17, 13l behind Regal Heights (10-13) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gs in Apr.
Beluga (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up behind leaders, going well 6f out, ridden and beaten 4f out, 4th of 8, 27l behind Bubba Boy (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd in Oct '04.
Cloud Venture 8-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 7th of 15, 31l behind Seymar Lad (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Corals Laurel (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 5th of 8, 36l behind Oscar Park (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (A) sft in Jan.
Easby Mandarin 20-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 34l behind Heraldry (11-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Fier Normand (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, every chance flat, held and eased final strides, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind College Ace (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Oct.
Fill The Bunker (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened 7th, 8th of 14, well behind Magnifico (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied flat, just failed, 2nd of 17, nk behind Sea The Light (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Hatton House (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Behind, headway halfway, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 11th of 14, 32l behind Legal Glory (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Kilmackilloge 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 19l behind Mr Pointment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Nice Try (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Its A Dream (11-0) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs.
Nocturnally 20-1 (11-0) In touch, tracked leaders 4th, led 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Barton Park (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Paradise Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 13l behind Pirate Flagship (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Reap The Reward (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outer, outpaced and mistake 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 4th of 10, 15l behind Numero Un de Solzen (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Sabreur 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 21l behind Black Hills (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Steel Warrior 14-1 (10-11) Held up, hampered 10f out, ridden and weakened 6f out, 9th of 14, well behind Ruby Too (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec '03.
China Fare (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division best, never a factor, 13th of 22, 42l behind O'Muircheartaigh (11-11) at Cork 2m nhf gs in Oct.
Saddlers Express 14-1 (10-10) Took keen hold in rear, reminder after 3rd, behind from 5th, 8th of 13, 34l behind Novacella (10-10) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
