mid-division, blundered 4th, soon behind, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, led next, clear when hit 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed flat
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, kept on same pace
led until 6th, struggling when snatched up after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd next, challenging when mistake last, led flat, ridden out
tracked leader, blundered first, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, mistake 4th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 3rd flat
This could be a lively little betting heat, with FIRST POINT selected to get the better of Postmaster and Sweetheart. Felix de Giles comes to the track for just the one ride on top weight First Point, who he led into the winners' enclosure on his last two outings, including finishing just ahead of King's Majesty. It's a step up in trip, but judging by the way he stayed on when coming from the off the pace to win previously, that shouldn't be an inconvenience. It is the first time he's found ground where he's been able to get his toe in. Postmaster is also chasing a hat-trick, having won here and at Fakenham last month. He moved to Evan Williams' yard in September, since when he's not finished out of the frame in four runs, including those two victories. Sweetheart is having her first run since March. Previously running in much better company than some of these, the ground won't be a problem. She stays on well too, so there shouldn't be concerns about a step up in trip, with her previous hurdling wins being over two miles. It promises to be a decent race, in which we'll be supporting First Point.
First Point (GER) 2-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Oct beating King's Majesty (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Mon Michel (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 16th of 24, 20l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Pascha Bere (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, chased winner 2 out, no impression approaching last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 17, 6l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Sweetheart 9-4 (10-11) Led, mistake 6th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and led again 2 out, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Feb beating Hope Road (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Templer (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hit 5th, headway approaching 7th, driven after 3 out, weakened 2 out, hit last, 6th of 17, 15l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
Postmaster 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, took closer order 7th, chased leader approaching last, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Haddaaf (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Classic Dream (GER) 5-2 (11-5) Made all, clear 2 out, pushed out, won at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Mar '07 beating Mister Benedictine (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Donaldson (GER) 3-1fav (10-4) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd after next, weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct, 20 ran.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, driven 3 out, no impression, hit 2 out, 8th of 12, 29l behind Doctor David (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Talenti (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, no chance with leaders from 2 out, went 3rd again flat, 3rd of 15, 24l behind Ballydub (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Princess Flame (GER) 4-1 (10-9) Led until after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 6th of 10, 34l behind Psychiatrist (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
King's Majesty (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-6) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind First Point (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Insignia (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 2nd, not much room after 6th, challenged after 3 out, led and jumped left 2 out, clear last, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Devito (10-5) by 7l, 14 ran.
Irish Whispers (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 12l behind Colophony (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Harry Tricker 16-1 (10-4) Towards rear, steady headway after 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 12, 23l behind Crack Away Jack (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
