led 1st, headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, struggling when pulled up after 5th
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 6th, soon struggling
led to 1st, chased leaders, in 4th when fell 5th
mid-division, led after 2 out, ridden clear flat
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, hampered 6th, soon struggling
held up in touch, joined leaders 6th, led next, soon headed, kept on but no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, in 3rd and beaten when mistake last
towards rear, weakened from 6th, soon pulled up
always towards rear
It is very hard to form a strong view on this interesting novice event but from a shortlist containing Quarry Island, Prairie Sun, Siegfrieds Night and Show No Fear, we will opt for Quarry Island. Quarry Island's debut second to Desert Tommy at Market Rasen on his debut reads pretty well and, despite disappointing when a beaten favourite last time, has still to be considered based on that first run. Prairie Sun, who won a 12-furlong three-year-old handicap at Beverley in May, Faraway Echo, who won a 12-furlong apprentices' handicap at Hamilton earlier this month, Siegfrieds Night, who won a 12-furlong handicap at Ripon in May, and was pretty consistent overall on the Flat, Show No Fear, who won a nine-furlong Kempton handicap in May from a subsequent Royal Ascot winner, and Courant d'Air, a seven-furlong winner at Warwick in April but well held on his hurdling debut, have all to be considered. As does Soleil d'Hiver. The last-named is trained by Pat Haslam but, despite the booking of Richard Johnson being eyecatching, did not not shown too much on his hurdling debut. It is a race in which a close eye should be kept on the betting market but, without the benefit of that knowledge, we will suggest Quarry Island who at least has shown ability over hurdles.
