held up in touch, steady headway from 5th, led after 2 out, soon clear
held up keen, outpaced 3 out, in 4th when hampered badly last
led and keen, headed when mistake 4th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
with leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened and headed soon after
held up rear, behind when ridden 5th, jinked left, refused 2 out
tracked leaders, tracked leader 4th, ridden 2 out, no chance when blundered badly last
Darrias,Samandara and Argent Ou Or are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Darrias. The selection won well last time out when beating Master Mahogany and although he has a penalty for that win he won with a little in hand and is taken to defy the handicapper. Samandara rates the main danger on his latest third behind Blueberry Ice. This slightly longer trip should suit and he should be watched in the market. Argent Ou Or hails from a top yard and has won his only race to date which was a bumper. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and is another with definite place claims. Of the remainder Devil's Teardrop would have a chance on his second a couple of runs ago but has since disappointed so can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Darrias.
Darrias (GER) 2-1 Towards rear, headway after 5th, chased leader 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, joined leader last, ran on well to lead flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Apr beating Master Mahogany by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Devil's Teardrop 7-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 11th of 15, 16l behind Senna da Silva at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Oct.
Top Son 66-1 Chased leaders, weakened 4th, 8th of 9, well behind Zonergem at Huntingdon 2m amt nov hdl (E) gd.
Argent Ou Or (FR) 11-8fav Tracked leaders, led 8f out, driven 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd in Apr beating Earl of Forestry by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cicatrice 50-1 Prominent until weakened 6th, tailed off, 10th of 15, 46l behind Kilindini at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd.
Samandara (FR) 5-2 Held up, headway approaching 6th, mistake 7th, switched right approaching last, soon every chance, not quicken flat, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Blueberry Ice at Hereford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.