tracked leaders, jumped right 2 out, soon ridden, weakening when jumped right last
took keen hold, with leader, led 4th, quicken between last 2, driven flat, always holding on
took keen hold, mid-division but well in touch, improved 3 out, hanging badly left when went 2nd flat, kept on under pressure, always just held
held up in rear, mistake 2 out, rider lost iron briefly, good headway apoproaching last, kept on to go 3rd final 100 yds, not trouble front pair
in touch, closed 3 out, stumbled 2 out, went 2nd when mistake last, faded
held up in last, well beaten 2 out
not jump well, held up, pulled hard, beaten 2 out
led to 4th, hit next, still every chance 2 out, faded under pressure flat
This looks a stronger renewal than last year and it is SOME PRESENT who can prevail if granted a truly run race; Loosen My Load and Tito Bustillo look the most obvious dangers. Thomas Mullins has a very smart animal on his hands in this son of Presenting and he must be considered a major player here. Impressive on his bumper debut at Punchestown, he then fared best of the pack that were left in the wake of the trail of Dunguib at Cheltenham. Davy Russell must be considered a tad foolish then to get into a foot-race with Sweeps Hill last time out, when the pair clashed last month. That son of Montjeu was always going to beat him for speed but he deserves plenty of credit for battling to the line and this race looks ideal for him. Loosen My Load has been progressing nicely and his form (including bumpers) reads well. He arguably wouldn't want too much rain however he looks a solid contender. More risky perhaps is Tito Bustillo who is fitted with a tongue-tie following his debut win at Chepstow. A French recruit, he was ultimately very impressive there but this is a big step up in class and he will be priced on his connections rather than on what he has achieved. Sleepy Hollow is an interesting contender in that he was a decent sort on the flat and he is pitched straight in at a decent level, whilst William Hogarth has some solid form to his name but is likely to be outclassed. Secret Dancer landed a right touch at Uttoxeter in July; he has been hard to keep sound and is sure to be outclassed but he remains an interesting contender nonetheless. A more solid option is Cootehill who already has a couple of listed wins to his name. He sauntered to victory at Kempton last month and must be a player at his local track despite the very different configuration. Some Present looks rock solid here and could be one of the best bets of the meeting.
Cootehill (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leader, left in lead after 1st, made rest, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gf in Oct beating Press The Button (11-6) by 3l, 5 ran.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, struggling from before 2 out where mistake, kept on run-in without threatening winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Fosters Cross (11-5) at Tipperary 2m Grade 3 nov hdl gf in Oct.
Some Present (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Led, slow jump 1st and almost stopped 2nd, soon headed until disputed lead at crawl, began to race from before 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed before straight, on terms briefly run-in, soon headed again and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Sweeps Hill (11-6) at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl sft in Oct.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Sweating, held up, raced keenly, hampered 6th, headway next, went 2nd after 9th, led and saddle slipped back 3 out, clear when hung left after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul beating High Gales (11-0) by 9l, 12 ran.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up in touch, blundered 3rd, shaken up and headway approaching 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Lady Jinks (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Mongoose Alert (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Prominent, hampered 2nd, not fluent 5th, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 24l behind Quiver Hill (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sleepy Hollow 12-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Overturn (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (flat).
William Hogarth 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, soon led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner but kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind You're The Top (11-8) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
