led, jumped left 3 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, weakened well before last
held up in 5th, mistake 5th, closed 7th, ridden after 2 out, 3rd and beaten when blundered last
held up towards rear, closed after 3 out, chasing leaders when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
raced keenly, held up in 3rd, not fluent 6th, led approaching 2 out, went left last, soon shaken up and asserted, impressive
raced keenly, held up in 4th, not fluent 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon outpaced by winner
chased leader to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
not always fluent, held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, hit last
held up in rear, closed approaching 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, weakened approaching last
DIAMOND HARRY can sparkle at the expense of Hell's Bay and Door Boy. This race has attracted a decent line-up but Diamond Harry is a decent horse and can put his rivals to the sword. The fragile gelding has been a fine advertisement for the skills of Nick Williams who turned him out to win two renewals of a valuable Newbury bumper. He was hugely impressive on his hurdling bow at Uttoxeter and the form was given a boost when the second won a decent race well next time. Hell's Bay sets the standard having won a Grade 2 at Chepstow as he liked and should prove to be a tough nut to crack. He disappointed a couple of occasions last year but looks capable of going a long way on the evidence of his return. Door Boy was impressive at Kelso and the second and third have given the form a boost but it's difficult to know quite what he achieved there and we'll know more about him after this. Dragon's Eye is a resolute galloper who may lack the required class whilst easy Southwell winner Star Lord and Peter Bowen's new recruit Tot Of The Knar both need to take another step forwards to hold their own here. We've no concerns on that score for Diamond Harry and fully expect this exciting prospect to take all the beating.
Ceasen Desist (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Dragon Eye (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Dragon Eye (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last where went slightly left, stayed on well flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Ceasen Desist (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hell's Bay (FR) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, took closer order at 7th, led 3 out, in command from next comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Tarablaze (11-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Diamond Harry 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, hampered by loose horse 3 out, led 2 out, soon hampered by loose horse again, went left and hit last, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Keki Buku (10-12) by 9l, 15 ran.
Door Boy (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up in touch, smooth headway to lead flat, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Merrydown (10-9) by 3l, 14 ran.
Star Lord (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd approaching 7th, not fluent 3 out, led soon after, clear between last 2, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Free World (11-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Martys Mission (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, went third at 4 out, stayed, never troubled leading pair, 3rd of 16, 29l behind Pride of Dulcote (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Tot Of The Knar 8-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 2 out, switched right before last, went left and hit slight, stayed on flat, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Mirage Dore (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
