led to 1st, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
led from 1st, headed after 3 out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
always behind, weakened and pulled up before 7th
held up towards rear, headway 6th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 8th
mid-division, unseated rider 1st
not jump well, always behind lost place frome 5th, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
with leaders, weakened 7th
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, no impression
held up mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off from 2 out
held up, headway 6th, beaten 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in touch, led after 3 out, clear approaching last
A fair race for this time of the season and King Cyrus is put up as the selection with No Complaint and Alleged Slave the most likely opposition. Evan Williams' charge will have found things happening all too quickly over two miles last time out but still put up a creditable enough performance after an absence from the track. Although it is something of a concern that he has to give weight all around, the stable are in good form and he sneaks the percentage call. Backers of No Complaint at Newton Abbot had Tony McCoy to thank for bullying the horse into victory. His strong suit is his ability to stay but he will need to have brushed up on his hurdling technique in order to follow up. Alleged Slave has had his injury problems but was always held in some regard by Alan King. He was last seen on the racecourse at Southwell in 2004 when obliging over chase fences off a mark of 108, and he reappears here over hurdles some 10lb lower. Stable companion, Vista Verde returns after a boneshaking fall at Haydock. He has never won over hurdles previously and is another seeking to take advantage of a potentially lenient mark. Exuberance could need more time and has previously been confined to events on soft going. The Shy Man won a very weak Sedgefield race in some style but the proximity of an 86-rated animal suggests that more is required. Killrossanty should ensure a fast gallop while The Right People should be watched in the market as his stable are in good nick at present. A tough opener in which King Cyrus is the tentative selection.
King Cyrus (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up in chasing group, mistake 3rd, 4 lengths 3rd when blundered last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Rebel Raider (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
No Complaint (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Led, hit 6th, hard driven approaching 2 out, headed narrowly approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Ted Moss (11-2) by a nk, 11 ran.
Exuberance (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 28l behind Nike Walker (10-7) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Alleged Slave (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Made all, ridden and mistake last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May '04 beating Glengarra (10-13) by a nk, 8 ran.
The Shy Man (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, led narrowly next, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf beating The Saltire Tiger (10-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Akash (IRE) 9-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outside after 4th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 12, 17l behind Macreater (10-2) at Towcester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
The Right People (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up, outpaced halfway, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 49l behind Sybarite Chief (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Kilrossanty (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) With leader, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 12, 25l behind Longstone Lady (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
