in touch, lost place after 4th, weakened after 7th
tracked leaders, weakened 7th
pressed leader to 4th, lost place before next, headway 7th, no impression in 4th before 3 out
held up, always in rear
mistake 1st and rider having tack problems briefly, mid-division on outside, headway 4th, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, not fluent and lost place next, progress after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leader, went 2nd 4th, led briefly before next, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out
made virtually all, wandering under pressure from 2 out, edged left flat, edged right towards finish, stayed on
mid-division, not fluent, headway approaching 5th, lost place before next, struggling 7th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no chance with front pair
held up towards rear, hampered 1st, headway before 5th, chased winner after 7th, challenging when hit 3 out, not fluent last 2, 1 length down when hampered flat, no impression
Better is expected from the long-absent Ansome now tackling hurdles, however the former point-to-point winners Watamu Bay and RED HARBOUR look interesting contenders along with City Theatre and it is Red Harbour who is narrowly preferred. Paul Nicholls may not have made a flying start to the season however the Champion Trainer has a wealth of talent at his disposal. This son of Old Vic was last seen finishing in midfield in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, but had previously won a Grade Two bumper at Ascot. He looks a very smart recruit to the yard and this trip should prove ideal for a horse who has proven that he stays well. Watamu Bay has been compared by his trainer to one of the stable stars Shining Gale and plenty is expected of him this year, whilst Qroktou caused a surprise when winning a Newbury bumper in December but then followed that up with a solid effort in defeat at Chepstow. This well-related French-bred is expected to relish this trip judging by those runs. Timmy Murphy looks an interesting jockey booking for Victor Dartnall's Moleskin (2 wins from 4 rides in the last five seasons), King Raven has run in some good races but this again looks tough, whilst jockey bookings suggest that City Theatre is the stable number one hope but he will need to jump better today than he did on his hurdling bow at Bangor last time. However the likely stronger pace today will help with that and he looks a major player. At a price Fire Within could run well on his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, however we are happy to side with the exciting Red Harbour as the selection.
Ansome 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind The Nightingale (10-13) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) sft in Dec '07.
Bled (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 3rd, no impression from 5th, 6th of 11, 31l behind Get Me Out Of Here (10-12) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
City Theatre (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Not always fluent, held up in rear, shaken up after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 23l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Fire Within 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 15, 35l behind Beshabar (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan '08.
Fly Direct (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and some late progress, never a danger, 6th of 14, 32l behind Georgian King (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '08.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division, soon racing keenly, switched right after 6th, headway after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 27l behind Emperor Concerto (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
King Raven (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Led, headed and mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 15, 25l behind Kangaroo Court (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Moleskin (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Led to after 2nd, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, one pace after, 3rd of 10, 10l behind James De Vassy (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Qroktou (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked winner, every chance final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Aiteen Thirtythree (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Red Harbour (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden to dispute 2nd 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 24, 41l behind Dunguib (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Watamu Bay (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Chsd ldrs in 3rd, mstk 8th, chall when mstk 4out, rddn to ld bef 2out, went clr bef last, kow, won at Cloyne 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Doheny Bar (12-0) by 15l, 10 ran.
