held up mid-division, lost place 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened from 7th
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden and hit last, kept on well to lead run-in
mistakes and always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge last, one pace flat
prominent, led after 8th, ridden approaching last, headed run-in, kept on
prominent until lost place 7th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, juimped slowly 4th, mistake 7th, headway next, stayed on, run-in
led to 7th, soon weakened, pulled up next
tracked leader, led 7th, headed after 8th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, lost place from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Marlborough Sound is taken to defy an absence to score, with newcomers Toni Alcala, Daggy Boy and Irish raider Royal Artisan all worth noting. The market should especially be watched as regard the five Irish runners, but on the evidence so far, Royal Artisan can prove best of them, having shaped well when second at Hexham on his debut over hurdles. However, a chance is taken on the fitness of Marlborough Sound from the stable of Nicky Richards. The six-year-old last ran when fourth on his hurdles bow at Sedgefield in October, and in turn that was his first outing in six months. So, there is plenty of mileage left in him, and with Tony Dobbin on board he can go close on his return. Toni Alcala gained his last win on the Flat in soft ground at Newcastle in August, and as that was over two miles, this longer trip will help his cause on his first outing over hurdles. Daggy Boy hails from a stable that likes to have winners here, but his one unplaced effort on heavy ground down under tells us little about his ability. The Wife's Sister will appreciate the going and this step up in trip and is worth considering for a place at least, but Marlborough Sound has the scope to be a decent stayer in time and can open his account today.
Daggy Boy (NZ) (8-7) 8th of 12 behind Persian Raider (8-3) at Waverley (NZ) 7f mdn heavy in Oct.
Full Kwai Ma (IRE) (12-0) pulled up in race won by Ballybough Storm (12-0) at Punchestown Pts 3m ire ptp gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Joemanchie (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, 12th of 19, well behind Where's Eddie (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f mdn hdl gf.
Life Match (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Diamond Cutter (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs.
Marlborough Sound 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace after, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dark Ben (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Millicent Fairways (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up early, progress halfway, 2nd 4f out, ridden and one pace from over 2f out, 6th of 15, 5l behind Thats That (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m nhf gs in May '04.
Royal Artisan (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Raced keenly in touch, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Arctic Lagoon (10-13) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (F) gd.
Stagecoach Diamond 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened when hampered 3 out, 9th of 20, 29l behind Fairly High (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Thepubhorse 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, well behind Arctic Lagoon (10-13) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (F) gd.
Toni Alcala 13-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Prairie Sun (8-1) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) frm (Flat).
Cottage Hill 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, reminders and lost place 11th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Cool Cossack (11-3) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (E) gs in Mar, 12 ran.
French Fashion (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on, 4th of 20, 15l behind Shoot The Breeze (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl gd.
Nod Ya Head 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 12, 15l behind Combat Drinker (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (E) gd.
Tandawizi 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened next, 9th of 13, well behind Marsh Run (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Feb.
Uneven Line 12-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, 4th of 8, 26l behind Hot Weld (11-9) at Perth 3m hdl (E) gf.
The Wife's Sister 11-4 (10-1) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Greencard Golf (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
