chased leaders, not on terms with leading pair when went right 3 out, went modest 3rd after next
always towards rear, driven and struggling after 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
chased leading pair until 3rd, mistake and weakened next, well behind next, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 4th, tracked leaders next, went 3rd but not on terms with leading pair 3 out, no extra in 4th after next, weakened into 5th on long run before the last
chased leaders, went 3rd at 3rd until 3 out, soon ridden and weakened before next
held up towards rear, modest 6th 3 out, plugged on into well held 4th on long run before the last
pressed winner, challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra run-in
took keen hold tracking leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakening when mistake 5th, tailed off
made all but pressed, pushed along before 2 out, joined when good jump last, soon asserted and kept on well run-in
always behind, pushed along and struggling rear after 4th, tailed off
This is a cut above the run-of-the-mill maiden events you normally get at this track. Bjornlucky and Zamoyski are more exposed than most but the latter would have strong claims on his second to Pearl Castle at Doncaster a little under a year ago. Majestic Sun is surely better than he's shown so far while Rolling Dice is also open to improvement as is Shwaiman, a decent stayer on the Flat who wasn't given a hard time on his introduction at Doncaster. Low Key won on the Flat in October but is going hurdling relatively late in life. Zip Top, second to Camelot in the 2011 Racing Trophy, showed definite promise when fourth to Jollyallan at Kempton but a line through the winner suggests he has a bit to find with LANCEUR. A dual winner on the Flat in France, the latter represents a yard in good form and will know more today.
Ardmay (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, one pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Frederic (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bjornlucky (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Held up, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, short of room 5th, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Key To The West (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Dark Diamond (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Raced wide, close up, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Wu Zetian (9-0) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov (flat).
Lanceur (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, 2nd 3 out, held when hit 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Jollyallan (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Low Key (IRE) 3-1fav (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside over 4f out, 2nd 4f out, led 3f out, came clear final 2f, never came off the bridle, won at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct beating Shades Of Grey (9-11) by 8l, 10 ran (flat).
Nicholascopernicus (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway by omitted 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 9, 20l behind Acertain Circus (10-12) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Shwaiman (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 18, 19l behind Cardinal Walter (11-0) at Doncaster 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Zamoyski 16-1 (11-1) Jumped left, led until after 2nd, led again after 3rd until next, chased leader, led again 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 10l behind Song Light (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Zip Top (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway and 4th 4out, outpaced form next, 4th of 7, 28l behind Jollyallan (11-8) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Choral Bee 100-1 (10-3) Tracked winner, ridden and weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Boondooma (10-9) at Fakenham 2m cond mdn hdle (4) gd in Mar.
Majestic Sun (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, some progress approaching 4th, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out, last of 9, well behind Bivouac (11-8) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Myboyalfie (USA) 40-1 (10-12) Took keen hold towards rear, modest 6th at the last, never involved, 6th of 15, 18l behind Aqalim (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Topamichi 33-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in midfield, weakened after 4 out, 17th of 18, well behind Cardinal Walter (11-0) at Doncaster 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Rolling Dice 100-1 (10-12) Led, went right 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 24l behind Top Notch (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec.
