pressed leader until 8f out, soon weakened, pulled up 6f out
held up towards rear, hadway 8f out, pushed along 7f out, lost place 6f out, rallied 3f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression
mid-division, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily
mid-division, headway 7f out, challenged briefly 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, lost touch 10f out, tailed off
in rear, headway 12f out, ridden 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8f out until 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway 7f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, went close 2nd going well 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A half-brother to a bumper and hurdles winner, HIT THE HEADLINES cost £52,000 as a yearling and will be expected to make his mark sooner rather than later. Another newcomer, Diamond Sweeper, has a decent pedigree and represents a yard that do well here with their bumper horses but Venetia Williams' Howard's Legacy looks more of a staying type. Of those with experience, Sir Cool was third on his debut at Kempton last April and has McCoy in the saddle while Wiesentraum ran well on his introduction at Newbury. They are preferred to points winners Turtlethomas and Piece Of Magic.
Carbis Bay 40-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear and pulled hard, led after about 3f, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 41l behind Global Power (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Diamond Sweeper (IRE) Witness Box gelding out of Vinecroft.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Heather Breeze.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) Generous gelding out of Ismene.
Just Richie (IRE) Jammaal gelding out of Righthand Lady.
North Stack 40-1 (11-4) Held up, hung left over 3f out, always towards rear, 13th of 15, 49l behind Rose Of The Moon (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Oct.
Sir Cool (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, kept on one pace final 3f, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Fontano (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Sunny Ledgend 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 17, 8l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Topthorn 100-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and green over 6f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 25l behind Twentyfourcarat (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov.
Turtlethomas (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up; led 2 out; sn clr, won at Kingston Blount 2m 5f ptp gd in Apr beating Showman (12-0) by 15l, 12 ran.
Wiesentraum (GER) 40-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway into mid-division over 6f out, well held 6th as field came into view final 110 yards, 6th of 20, 31l behind African Broadway (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Piece Of Magic 4-5 (11-5) won at Dalton Park 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Forge Valley (12-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Sleeping du Granit (FR) Sleeping Car gelding out of Broceliande Fine.
