mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, went left 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
always prominent, led 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden after last, eased close home
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, soon behind, never on terms after
chased leader, every chance 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up in touch, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, headway 5th, every chance after 2 out, not quicken flat
mid-division, stumbled 4th, ridden and weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led until 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always behind, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, ridden after 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
held up, mistake 3rd, soon ridden, pecked 4th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Spuradich was not far off being Listed class on the level and, if translating any of that ability to hurdles, should be too good for his main rivals here, who look to be Crathorne and Neckar Valley. The selection won a 1m2f handicap at Newbury off a mark of 90 when last seen on the flat in September and, while the absence since then and lack of a previous outing over hurdles is of concern, the chances are that he is going to be sufficiently well schooled and fit enough to beat these. Leopold is a consistent performer but is again likely to find at least one too good and of more interest may be Martin Todhunter's Crathorne, who has shown ability from limited opportunities over hurdles and comes here fit from the flat. Richard Whitaker's Neckar Valley made an encouraging return at Market Rasen earlier this month and makes more appeal than the more exposed Sterling Guarantee. Smart Boy Prince has claims on the form shown behind Flintoff but was well held in a handicap last time, while Petrolero is another that probably needs to improve on recent form to trouble Spuradich, who is taken to make a winning start to his new career.
Corries Wood (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven along 5 out, kept on one paced from last, 5th of 8, 8l behind Snack Box (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gf in Sept '03.
Crathorne (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, hampered 3rd, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 18, 22l behind Jorobaden (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Neckar Valley (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, under pressure and not fluent last, headed last 75 yards, no extra, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind General Smith (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Petrolero (ARG) 7-2 (10-8) Held up, headway to chase leaders after 5th, lost place 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 4th of 7, 23l behind Dream Castle (9-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Spuradich (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left, kept on well, ridden out, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (B1) gs in Sept beating Jabaar (8-5) by 3/4l, 18 ran (Flat).
Leopold (SLO) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent, raced keen, disputed lead 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Rajam (10-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jun.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led to 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind General Smith (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Sterling Guarantee (USA) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, driven along 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 9l behind Red Chief (10-6) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gf in Jun.
