tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, weakened 5th
held up, not fluent 3rd, mistake 4th, weakened next
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led and pecked 1st, clear 2 out easy
mid-division and keen, ridden 5th, soon weakened
towards rear and keen, behind from 4th
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase winner 3 out, no impression from 2 out, mistake last
in touch, weakened 3 out
in rear and keen, weakened 5th, hampered and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, headway and not fluent 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after
Liberate was easily the best of these on the flat and is taken to make a winning start to his jumping career, although he may face stiff competition from fellow newcomer Zilcash whilst Ebony Lady, Stumped and Park Lane Princess hold fair hurdling form. Alan King who runs Zilcash has a fine record at the track and he is sure to have his horse well-schooled, however he is well held by Liberate on their flat form. Park Lane Princess was no great shakes on the flat and she will need to step up considerably on her moderate hurdling debut if she is to trouble the judge today, whilst Ebony Lady ran well to finish third behind Pukka Tique over course and distance. In the same race, Stumped ran too freely on his hurdling debut when well fancied, however he was eased significantly when beaten and if settling better and jumping more fluently he can play a major part today. Of the rest, Bob's Your Uncle was a fair handicapper when on the flat and so could run well at a price, whilst High Seasons would have to jump better on this his second outing over hurdles if he is to have a chance. Liberate is the classiest horse in the field, and so if he jumps well he should be good enough to win.
Herald Angel (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped slowly 2nd, mistake 3rd, behind from 5th, 6th of 9, 35l behind Cheveley Flyer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
High Seasons 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Katies Tuitor (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Liberate 11-10fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, left in lead well over 1f out, kept on, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Doctor Scott (9-7) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul (Flat).
Mexican Bob 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, 11l behind Lenoir (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Stumped 9-4 (10-12) Led and keen, jumped left 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out and eased, 5th of 11, 15l behind Pukka Tique (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Zilcash 20-1 (8-4) Always rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out, tailed off, last of 9, 41l behind Counterpunch (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct (Flat).
Ebony Lady 18-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and every chance 2 out, bumped on bend approaching last, soon held, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Pukka Tique (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Park Lane Princess (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Prominent, led after 3rd, hit 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 30l behind Cheveley Flyer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
