mid-division, headway to chase leader after 2nd, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
led until 1st, chased leaders until lost place 3rd, well behind 5th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd after last
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
keen tracking leaders, hit 5th, led approaching 2 out, hit last, ran on
towards rear, some headway 4th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden to dispute 2nd approaching 5th, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders until lost place after 2nd, ridden after 3rd, headway after 5th, weakened last
always behind
This won't take much winning and Hearthstead Wings gets the confident vote with Ocean Pride and Sahara Prince looking the two likeliest to chase him home. Philip Hobbs' five-year-old was only beaten 15 lengths by the impressive Tritonix last time out and whilst he may prefer a longer trip in time (stays two miles on the flat), this race should be his for the taking. He has won on this ground on the flat before so conditions should be fine and with the best jockey in the race aboard, he looks hard to oppose. Sahara Prince should come on for his recent hurdling debut but stamina is not his forte so likely to race up with the pace, it would be no surprise to see him weaken late on. Ocean Pride hasn't gone on since making a promising hurdling debut in February (only beaten a length behind Wise Owl, now rated 114) and has become disappointing. He acted on fast ground on the flat so conditions shouldn't be a problems but he cannot be recommended until he shows a bit more. Here To Eternity is very gradually improving and so is one that could go well at a price, but ultimately this looks a penalty kick for Hearthstead Wings and he gets the confident vote.
Hearthstead Wings 12-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 3 out, chasing leading pair when mistake 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 17, 15l behind Tritonix (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Here To Eternity (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 14, 22l behind Gentle John (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd.
My Condor (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Raced wide mid-division, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Never So Blue (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Qian Shan (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Always in rear, lost touch 4 out, last of 11, well behind Ingratitude (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Sahara Prince (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 18, 15l behind Lunar Crystal (11-0) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Southern Tide (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 12, 45l behind Kings Quay (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Ocean Pride (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, chased leader before 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered 2 out, 6th of 16, 19l behind Give Me A Dime (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf.
The Sportsman (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, ridden 6th soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Artadi (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
