held up in rear and well off the pace, closed up 6th, went 3rd next, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, well held and left modest 2nd last
chased clear leading pair until 6th, weakened next, tailed off 3 out and soon pulled up
held up, off the pace in 4th, headway to chase clear leader 6th, hit next, closed on inside after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, left clear last and stayed on well
held up and off the pace, headway 6th, headway into modest 4th and hit 3 out, soon ridden, no chance when left poor 3rd last
led to 2nd, pressed leader, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, about 3 lengths 2nd and held when fell last
with leader, led 2nd until hit next, chased leader until weakened approaching 6th, soon pulled up
We end the card with a maiden hurdle where Oliver Sherwood's ROCKANDAHARDPLACE seems to have a solid chance of getting off the mark after his run in heavy ground on his last appearance and that's with whom we side at the expense of Hopeful Start and Casual Garcia. Granted that last race for the pick only had four runners but the first two were well clear and he stayed on very well to just be denied. The extra yardage this time should aid his cause especially in ground he seems to enjoy. Hopeful Start showed he handles these conditions when running a solid race last time out and he should go better for a reduction in trip. Casual Garcia has looked mildly progressive in two starts and while he should improve again he is yet to experience these conditions. Ashfield's Dream ran better than the bare result suggested on his last start and as a point-to-point winner should have no problems over obstacles under rules for the first time. It¿s a good little contest to finish with and Rockandahardplace has really good claims on it.
Ashmolian (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up in rear and keen, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 9, 24l behind Kisha King (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Captain Willoughby (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leader and raced wide, ridden, lost pace and outpaced 7th, rallied 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd 1f out, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Baker's Girl (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f stk (6) sft in May '07.
Casual Garcia 6-1 (10-13) Held up, not fluent 9th, went modest 4th after 3 out, went 3rd last, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Star Of Angels (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, not fluent and lost place next, progress after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Moleskin (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) hvy.
Rockandahardplace (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leading pair, outpaced 6th, left 20 lengths 2nd 2 out, stayed on well from last, just failed, 2nd of 4, nk behind Highest Esteem (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Striking Viking 10-1 (11-2) Led until over 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 41l behind Knight In Purple (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Arctic Watch 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, never in contention, 7th of 13, 39l behind Emperor Concerto (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Ashfield's Dream (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 5f out, lost place and no extra from before straight, 12th of 21, 31l behind Brog An Ri (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 1f 5yo nhf sft in May.
Etruscan (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Warne's Way (9-11) at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct (flat).
