tracked leaders in 4th, headway to chase winner from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression when hit last
held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 3 out, 3rd and no impression when hit 2 out
led until mistake and headed 4th, with leader until ridden approaching 3 out and soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leading pair, led going well 3 out, hit 2 out, drew clear soon after, easily
pulled hard, with leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened before next
held up in 5th, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, one pace before next
held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out
took keen hold, held up in 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
CAUSEWAY KING is selected in the opener at the main expense of Barwell Bridge. The latter is a newcomer to hurdling, but has been very useful on the flat, where he stays 1m 4f and is rated 88. If able to reproduce that sort of ability today then he would be a big danger to the selection. However, he does have to prove his hurdling skills are up to the mark, while he has raced just once on the level when the ground was good to soft, and it might be that he just prefers it quicker underfoot. The selection was also tried for the first time on this sort of ground when 10 lengths adrift of Westlin' Winds at Hereford last time. On that occasion the conditions were not the reason for his defeat, and he looked smart enough when scoring at Warwick prior to that. He is not as good as Barwell Bridge on the flat, while the form of his yard is not trustworthy at present, so be careful with your stake. Acquisitive put up a couple of reasonable runs in bumpers, and is now stepped up in trip here for his hurdling debut. There should be more to come today. Hector's House will act on the ground and was the easy winner of a novices' seller at Sedgefield last time. A repeat of that would entitle him to go close, but we will just side with Causeway King.
Causeway King (USA) 8-11fav (11-2) Raced keenly, held up in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Westlin' Winds (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Hector's House 8-11fav (10-12) Held up, took closer order 3rd, hit next, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, driven clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft beating Dr Valentine (10-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
Acquisitive (FR) 11-4 (10-5) Led, headed approaching 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Royal Riviera (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 5f 3yo nhf (5) hvy.
Barwell Bridge 10-1 (8-4) Progress, went sharply right to track leader over 8f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Record Breaker (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep (flat).
Dreamwalk (IRE) 4-11fav (8-9) Pushed along briefly leaving stalls, chased rival until led over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (6) gf in Oct beating Beauchamp Wizard (8-10) by 8l, 2 ran (flat).
Googoobarabajagal (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 6th, went 2nd last, kept on flat, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Singapore Reef (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Salontyre (GER) Pentire gelding out of Salonrolle.
Order Order 66-1 (10-7) Chasing leaders when hit 2nd, behind from 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when hit 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Olofi (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft, 11 ran.
