held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden 6th, soon weakened
in touch, headway approaching 6th, ridden and chased leader approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, edged right under pressure flat
in touch, hit 6th, ridden and fluent 3 out, stayed on one pace
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened after 6th
chased leader, ridden and weakened quickly 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led, quickened on bit approaching 6th and soon clear, ridden after 3 out, headed last, no extra flat
mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out
mid-division, ridden in front of 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, weakened approachnig 2 out
held up last, ridden 6th, no impression
prominent, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, kept on one pace and 2 out, took poor 3rd close home
Some useful ex-flat performers on view and this looks to concern Atlantic City, Woody Valentine, Vinmix De Bessy and At Your Request with our selection being the latter. Ian Williams' charge has been highly tried thus far and today's race actually represents a drop in class with reference to his Cheltenham outings. Faster ground was seized upon for Atlantic City's improved effort at Plumpton but he will need to have improved again to win this. Woody Valentine was well beaten by our selection at Cheltenham on their most recent meeting. A quirky character at the best of times, the market is sought for most clues tonight. Vinmix De Bessy has been the subject of much in the way of positive feedback from his trainer. He was only scheduled to have one run after his debut victory and it will be interesting to see what spin the market puts upon a second visit to the well. Cunning Pursuit's recent Hereford effort was a disappointing run under the circumstances. The official figures suggest that he has a bit to do against this level of opposition. Ex-Sir Michael Stoute horse, Maharaat is bred very much in the flat race blue but is still a maiden over hurdles. At Your Request is better in here than if it were a handicap and we will side with him on this occasion.
Atlantic City 17-2 Close up, tracked leader after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Mar beating Double Dizzy by 5l, 6 ran.
At Your Request 5-4fav Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, ridden to dispute 2nd last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Openide at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (B) gd.
Cunning Pursuit 9-4 Chased leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Reservoir at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Mar.
Verasi 11-1 Not fluent, in touch, no chance with leading pair 3 out, hit 2 out, beaten when fell in race won by Miss Academy at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd, 6 ran.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 5-1 Raced wide, tracked leaders, led 6th to approaching 3 out, chased winner after, no chance between last 2, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Miss Academy at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd.
Woody Valentine (USA) 33-1 Held up in touch, headway 3rd, led 5th, headed and mistake 3 out, weakened quickly after 2 out, 19th of 24, 30l behind Dabiroun at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (A) gd in Mar.
La Concha (IRE) 33-1 Raced freely, led and soon clear, jumped left 3rd, headed 6th, chased leader until weakened under pressure approaching 3 out, 3rd of 6, well behind Miss Academy at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd.
Maharaat (USA) 9-2 Tracked leaders, ridden and hit 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 7, 6l behind Mohawk Star at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Mar.
