close up, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
held up, mid-division, headway to chase over 4f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
held up, good headway 4f out, one pace final 2f
held up, behind, ridden 5f out, never dangerous
towards rear, kept on final 3f, never dangerous
in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led after 1f, headed 6f out, lost place 3f out
tracked leaders led 6f out, ran on stronly final furlong
held up, behind, kept on final 3f, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led for 1f, chased leaders, weakened 3f out
Murphy rates as our selection ahead of Kokoschka and Dynamic Leap. Carl Llewellyn nominated Murphy as a horse to follow at the beginning of the year and he was very well backed on introduction. He appeared not to handle the prevailing soft ground on that occasion and it is hoped that he will be capable of producing his more true running here. Kokoschka has had a spell on the sidelines but his debut bumper appeared to be a strong one on paper. The market will tell its own tale. Tony McCoy has elected on this occasion to side with Dynamic Leap. The Turtle Island gelding is related to a number of winners including Wydello and Karelo Bay and while the going might be far from ideal, there is plenty to like in the pedigree. Planet Of Sound is a half-brother to From Dawn To Dusk, who will be running earlier in the card. Ballabrook was nicely backed on debut at Catterick and is likely to have improved for the run. Tropical Strait is speedily bred than most and has to be treated with a degree of respect. Some nice horses on view and there are likely to be plenty of future winners but for Saturday teatime, Murphy looks to be the answer.
Island Key (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 10l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Kokoschka (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 13, 12l behind Phardessa (10-6) at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gd.
Lord Samposin I'm Supposin gelding out of winning hurdler Skiddaw Samba.
Murphy (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up in touch and keen, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 27l behind Lodge Lane (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Planet of Sound Kayf Tara gelding, half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Three Scholars.
Sailor's Sovereign Sovereign Water gelding out of an unraced mare.
Celian (FR) Indian River gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Dynamic Leap Turtle Island gelding, half-brother to the smart bumper and hurdles winner Karello Bay.
Jaunty Journey 16-1 (10-11) Soon led, keen, headed after 2f, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 13, 6l behind Hillridge (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Lewis's World Overbury gelding, half-brother to winners up to 1m4f and over hurdles.
Marleybow (IRE) Presenting gelding out of an unraced mare.
Paddy Live (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, challenged over 4f out, faded over 1f out, last of 5, 14l behind Theatrical Moment (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Pasdelou (FR) Network gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Pingpong (FR) Arnaqueur gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tropical Strait (IRE) Intikhab gelding, half-brother to 1m & 1m1f winner Tropical Coral.
Northern Seren 66-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, stayed on, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind King of The Jungle (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Ballabrook (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 16, 14l behind Peters Pride (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
