tracked leader, closer order 5th, led 2 out, soon clear, easy
led and soon clear, slow jump 4th, headed 6th, mistake and eased next
tracked leader, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
Phillip Hobbs sets a puzzle here running both La Dolfina and the newcomer American Duke, we will side with the first named and put forward Whistle Blowing as the best of the rest. Richard Johnson is aboard the debutante, with Tom O'Brien on our selection. O'Brien though has ridden the gelding on all three occasions this season. including a recent impressive victory at Uttoxeter. The combination will be hard to beat today unless American Duke is a bit special. He has a decent pedigree and did reach a top rating of 74 on the flat. The trip shouldn't be a problem and the market should be watched very closely. Whistle Blowing has shown a consistent level of form in similar company and isn't too far behind the selection on official ratings. The other two runners could be out of their depth and so in what could be a three horse war, La Dolfina is the choice.
La Dolfina 7-4fav (10-10) Held up and keen, headway 6th, led 2 out, left clear last, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf beating Smart Minister (10-7) by 13l, 11 ran.
American Duke (USA) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened and behind final 3f, 13th of 17, 34l behind McQueen (9-0) at Newbury 1m 1f app hcp (E3) sft in Oct '04 (Flat).
Gappersonneldotcom (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mistakes, always behind, 8th of 11, well behind La Dolfina (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, soon ridden, weakening when jumped right last, 4th of 11, 20l behind Joey (9-10) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Raffish 25-1 (10-12) Pulled hard early, held up, kept on flat, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Lahib The Fifth (11-10) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
