chased leaders, kept on from last
led, headed 2 out, weakened from last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leader, led 2 out, kept on well
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
close up, every chance from 2 out, one pace from last
towards rear, blundered 5th, beaten when mistake and unseated rider last
prominent, reminders approaching 4th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, blundered 5th, never dangerous
Unless one of the less exposed types improves on what we've seen this could develop into a match, with WARRIOR ONE narrowly preferred to Helieorbea. Howard Johnson's gelding has contested two decent contests so far and both his third placed efforts merit respect in this company. Officially rated 99 on the back of them, he can be expected to improve further and will cope with give in the ground judging by his sole flat success, one that came on soft ground. Our feeling is he'll prove too much for Helieorbea, who officially sets the standard with a mark of 110. Tim Easterby's charge was however well held off that mark last time and we feel that he'll struggle to defy a penalty obtained for winning at Haydock last year, although he should still hold enough in the locker to take second behind our pick. Jeronimo Joe could prove best of the rest if building on his debut over hurdles last time. A modest flat performer, this one defied odds of 200/1 to take a good fifth and the form has been given a solid look since. There's little between him and Zelos Diktator on flat ratings, so although the last named will need to leave his hurdling debut well behind he may be able to do just that, as conditions that day at Newcastle were extremely poor. That pair will attract their share of each way support, as might Duke Of Urbino on his hurdling debut. This one is unexposed but he didn't look to stay a mile on the flat and may struggle to get home, although this track will help him on that score. Of more interest to us is Tropical Bachelor who is another who belied massive odds when showing promise on debut and whilst he may not improve past the front pair some decent prize money may await. Kapowee represents a strong trainer and jockey combination so she's afforded respect but again it seems possible she may not get the trip on her hurdling debut, although presumably connections are confident she will. This is a real minefield outside the two likely market principles and it may pay to focus on them, with Warrior One our relatively confident choice.
Helieorbea 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 18, 30l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Barbarian 66-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Carlito Brigante (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Duke of Urbino 14-1 (8-11) Always behind, 11th of 12, 23l behind Future Gem (9-0) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Aug (flat).
Jeronimo Joe 200-1 (10-2) Mid-division, kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 23l behind Gifted Leader (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
King's Chorister 66-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Stormy Weather (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Night Knight (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Always behind, 7th of 12, 38l behind Inventor (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Tropical Bachelor (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 15l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Vain Boteli (GER) 22-1 (9-0) Always in last place, behind from over 4f out, last of 8, well behind Resplendent Ace (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov (flat).
Warrior One 4-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Zelos Diktator 40-1 (10-12) With leader, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 37l behind Stormy Weather (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Camomile 50-1 (8-9) In touch, lost place over 4f out and behind, last of 13, 23l behind King of Rhythm (9-0) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec (flat).
Game Roseanna 9-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, ridden and hung left from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never trouble leaders, 6th of 12, 10l behind Extremely So (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gf in Oct (flat).
Kapowee 10-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 15th of 16, 16l behind Balladiene (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep '08 (flat).
Kochanski (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Held up and keen, headway approaching and hit 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 24l behind Carlito Brigante (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Moggy (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 40l behind Private Equity (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov (flat).
Owls Fc (IRE) 200-1 (10-1) Soon well behind, tailed off 5th, blundered last, 9th of 13, well behind Veiled (10-8) at Leicester 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gf in Dec.
