held up, headway 4th, mistake and led 3 out, clear approaching last
led, until mistake headed 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
in touch, behind from halfway, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
with leaders, weakened after 4 out
with leaders, led 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, weakened 4 out
Hillcrest gets the nod over Chickapeakray and Shining Joy, while Clemax is better than he consented to show last time and is worth monitoring in the betting market. The last named has been mainly consistent since he joined Ferdy Murphy from France towards the end of last year - rewarding his connections with place money on four separate occasions. He has winning form on heavy ground from his homeland and should not be underestimated today. Shining Joy is capable on his day but needs to prove that he can cope with the ground after posting a modest effort last time out. However, he has been given a chance by the handicapper and is no forlorn hope on these terms. Chickapeakray can be guaranteed to handle the conditions and, as Steven Craine knows her well, she has plenty in her favour today. However, she faces a stiff test in giving 8lb to the selection and needs a little luck on her side. Therefore, we prefer to stick with Hillcrest, who has shown a good level of progression and is expected to find even more now that he tries this more suitable trip for the first time.
Chickapeakray 13-2 (10-7) Always prominent, led after 6th, headed 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Tomenoso (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Krack de L'Isle (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pecked badly 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Kempski (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy, 8 ran.
Clemax (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Towards rear, reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Datito (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Calvic (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mckelvey (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m lst hcp chs (1) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
It's Blue Chip 40-1 (10-13) Always in rear and pulled up 4 out in race won by The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 17 ran.
Hillcrest (NZ) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, led soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Top Style (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 34l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Shining Joy (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, dropped rear 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Chamacco (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Young Cuthbert 100-1 (11-1) Always behind, hit 5th, weakened approaching 7th, 7th of 9, 31l behind Karathaena (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
