raced wide, held up, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, soon ridden, headed flat, stayed on
raced wide, tracked leaders, switched to inside, on bend after 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leading pair, hit 7th, joined leader 3 out, ridden to lead briefly after 2 out, weakened last
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 5th, not fluent next, effort 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
A fascinating start to an excellent day's racing can see DIAMOND HARRY maintain his unbeaten record at the main expense of Bensalem and Tataniano. Nick Williams' gelding currently heads the market for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle in March and can cement his position at the head of the market. Critics have pointed out that he has run down his flights a couple of times and that he can be less than fluent but he has never looked in danger of losing over hurdles. He ticks all the boxes with proven form at the track under similar conditions and he has the best form on offer. The Sandown bumper which Bensalem landed has worked out well and he has earned his place in this line-up with two respectable victories over hurdles. He should relish the testing ground and continue to progress but may prefer a stiffer test of stamina and may lack the class of Diamond Harry. Tataniano was backed as though defeat was out of the question at Kempton but was put in his place by the useful Shalone. He won an egg and spoon race at Exeter which told us little and this represents his acid test. Ernst Blofeld impressively landed a fair race over the brush hurdles at Haydock and is an interesting prospect but has plenty to find on the form book as does Shenanigan who is progressing along the right lines. The selection has looked a class act every time that he's appeared on a racecourse and Diamond Harry is taken to enhance his reputation with another polished performance.
Bensalem (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway through main group after 4, went 2nd just after 3 furlong out, led and straight 2 out, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Vagrant Emperor (10-9) by 7l, 10 ra.
Diamond Harry 4-6fav (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, led 3 out, clear 2 out, heavily eased run-in, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec beating Junior (11-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 8th, went 2nd 2 out, led soon after last, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Cloudy Times (10-9) by 8l, 14 ran.
Tataniano (FR) 1-6fav (10-12) Made all, clear after 3rd, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Lady Omara (10-5) by 10l, 10 ran.
Shenanigan 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Over Sixty (11-2) by 1l, 11 ran.
Talenti (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Made most to 4 out, chased leader to 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 4th of 6, 28l behind Diamond Harry (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
