in rear, held when mistakes 7th and 8th
in touch, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from next, took 2nd after last
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened 4 out
held up, hit 7th, headway 4 out, plugged on
never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3rd, tracked winner approaching 4 out, soon held
with winner, ridden after 8th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
made most, hit 8th, ridden when mistake 3 out, ran on
held up, headway 8th, chased winner from 4 out, no impression from 2 out, lost 2nd after last
in rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, closer order 3rd, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out
held up, never dangerous
HOLLOW STAR represents connections who ran away with this race in 2006 and is taken to make a winning start over hurdles; Prince Geeno joins Quidonc and Cast Cada on the shortlist. The selection made 70,000 guineas at the January sales last year and connections haven't rushed this gelding. He won on the point-to-point scene when trained in Ireland and assuming that the market vibes are positive then he may be worth chancing. There are horses in the line-up who have already shown ability on the track, not least Cast Cada. Charlie Mann's Exit To Nowhere gelding has had four starts over hurdles and his two recent runs read well, particularly his four length third at Uttoxeter in November. Quidonc was pulled up at the track last time. Purely on his third to Shoreacres in November he must be considered a major player however it is slightly worrying that connections now turn to the headgear. Troglodyte also tries the first-time blinkers, whilst Prince Geeno is a fascinating hurdling debutant. He won on his first start at Naas a year ago and wasn't disgraced in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. This son of Accordion is sure to have been well-schooled and the stable have started this year much better than they finished 2008. Broken Beau is not far behind the main protagonists on official ratings but is held by Cast Cada on their Ascot clash. Bally Sands is another for consideration, but it is newcomer Hollow Star who is taken to make a winning debut.
Arturo Uno (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leader, hit 6th and 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 32l behind Duke of Miskin (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Bally Sands (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 3 out until 2 out, well held by winner when hit last, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Aux Le Bahnn (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs.
Broken Beau (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 19l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Cast Cada (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, hit first, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 16, 6l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Devil's Creek (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hampered 5th, never near leaders, 7th of 21, 26l behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dover's Hill 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 4th of 16, 15l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Hollow Star (IRE) (11-7) Made most, headed before last, battled back, won at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp sft in Nov '07 beating Forever Man (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Jaunty Journey 6-1 (10-9) In touch, not fluent 6th, soon pushed along, hit 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Star Lord (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Mask Of Darkness (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 13th of 20, 33l behind Oligarch Society (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 5yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Prince Geeno (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, bumped over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 14th of 23, 24l behind Cousin Vinny (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Quidonc (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, hit 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 8th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Heathcliff (10-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Troglodyte 9-4 (10-12) In touch, stumbled 2nd, not fluent 3rd, reminders after 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 48l behind Woodlands Gem (10-5) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Worbarrow Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2out, weakened after, 7th of 18, 34l behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
