in touch, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
soon tracked leader, led on bit after 7th, clear 3 out, very easily
in touch, ridden along 5th, not fluent 7th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 4 out
in rear, headway 7th, soon weakened
very keen in rear, mistake 5th, 4th when mistake 2 out
keen, led after 3rd, ran green after 4th, headed after 7th, soon one pace
led, pecked 1st, headed after 3rd, weakening when mistake 7th
always in rear
Gungadu is the one to be on here ahead of Taking My Cut, with Wellpict One and Caveman worth a mention at least. Gungadu was thought good enough to contest the Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle here in October and was not disgraced in finishing third to Rimski and Massini's Maguire. He showed abundant promise between the flags in Ireland, and it will not be long before he opens his account on these shores. The drop in class will help his cause and he can prove too strong for Taking My Cut. The latter's trainer Jonjo O'Neill is having far better fortune than last year and his runner, related to the likes of Gaye Brief and Gaye Chance on the dam's side, ran well on his debut when second to Saltango at Worcester. Wellpict One makes his timber debut and is likely to need the run, but it would be no surprise if his trainer had him ready to run well, while of the rest, Caveman has to be respected as he is sure to have been well schooled for his introduction. Gungadu sets the standard here though and is the one to beat.
Caveman 4-1 (11-12) 2nd of 10, 10l behind Wood Colony (12-5) at Dingley 3m ptp gd in May.
Gungadu 7-2 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, hanging left, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Rimsky (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Montrolin 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd and every chance 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Royal Coburg (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Mar.
Oddington (IRE) (12-0) won at Tattersalls Farm 3m ptp hvy in Apr beating Finsbury Park (12-0) by 25l, 15 ran.
Pin High (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, well behind Yardbird (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gf in Apr '04.
Redlynch Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Pulled hard, prominent until weakened over 3f out, 6th of 12, well behind Tihui Two (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Wellpict One (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 16, 17l behind Dancing Partner (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Little Word 50-1 (10-2) Behind, effort 8th, never nearer, 5th of 9, 34l behind Dunbell Boy (11-2) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (F) sft in Oct.
They Grabbed Me (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division best, some mistakes, completely tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Sky's The Limit (11-0) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gs in Oct.
Taking My Cut 18-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 5th, carried left flat, kept but no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Saltango (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
