pulled hard, rapid headway to lead 2nd, headed before 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
took keen hold, in rear, some headway after 2 out, tailed off
led until 2nd, prominent until led again before 4th, headed before 3 out, weakened rapidly, behind and hit 2 out, tailed off
in touch, headway to 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon joined, ridden after last, not quicken and headed final 150 yards
towards rear on inside, headway on inside after 3 out, close 4th 2 out, weakened before last
always behind, tailed off
prominent, led before 3 out, headed appproaching 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
chased leaders, went 3rd after 2 out, pushed along on outside before last, stayed on well to lead final 150 yards
chased leaders, ridden after 4th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
not fluent 3rd, in rear, pushed along and some headway after 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, towards rear, some headway to modest 7th after 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden along and struggling before 4th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd and every chance 2 out, disputing lead and every chance when pushed right and bumped before last, stayed on same pace flat
Cottage Acre returned from a break to finish second over 2m3f at Fontwell last month. A winning pointer, his long-term future may lie over fences and OLD WAY should have too much speed for him over the shorter trip. Though unable to justify favouritism at Towcester last month that was against better opposition and Venetia Williams' five-year-old still has scope for improvement. Cotillion was also sent off favourite on his latest start at Folkestone after a promising fourth at Chepstow but was coming off second best against Carpincho when unseating his rider at the last. He clearly has ability but this much shorter distance may not play to his strengths.
Aperitif 18-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened from 4 out, 12th of 17, well behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '07.
Backstreet Billy (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, held up mid-division in touch when fell 5th, in a race won by Harry Hunt (10-4) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs, 10 ran.
Bay Central (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led until after 2nd, lost place after 4th, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Grey Gold (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Cotillion 11-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, raced on inside, held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, chased leaders next, every chance going well 2 out, chased winner on long run to last, no chance when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Carpincho (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Raced wide, in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led approaching and 2 lengths ahead 2 out, driven and edged right when rider lost whip before last, headed flat, staying on same pace when hampered on rail and switched left soon after, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Accordintolawrence (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Don't Hang About 28-1 (11-4) Prominent when ran out and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Golden Chieftain (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Fishoutofwater (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Pulled hard in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 41l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Old Way (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, driven to challenge after 2 out, soon under pressure, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Pret A Thou (11-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Onetokeep (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden 5f out, soon lost place, weakened 3f out, 9th of 13, 26l behind Max Laurie (10-11) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Prince Of King 20-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Divine Folly (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan.
Rye Rocket 11-1 (8-3) Led, headed halfway, soon behind, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Goldrenched (9-7) at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Oct '08 (flat).
Starlet Mandy (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden and struggling after 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Storming Gale (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sir Pitt 7-2 (10-12) Led until propped tried to refuse and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Higgy's Ragazzo (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo hdl (4) gd, 6 ran.
