in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened between last 2
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, effort approaching last, one pace flat
mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort after 2 out, no extra flat
made most before 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led last, ran on strongly
in touch, fell 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, soon ridden, stayed to chase winner flat
towards rear, weakened half way, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
Estepona looks to hold a good chance here, with Blue Buster and Arctic Cove possibly proving best of the rest. Having won a 12-furlong Haydock handicap off a mark of 74 in August, and then having gone on to finish third in the November Handicap, Estepona is of obvious interest here and gets the call. A 13-furlong Bath Flat winner from a mark of 58 in September, Arctic Cove gets a good mention, while Blue Buster won two of his three bumpers so has to be given consideration on his hurdling debut. First Look has shown enough in two hurdle runs to suggest he might make a place, while Third Empire's Sedgefield third last time suggested he has a small race in him, but Nae Bother At All, although from a good yard. might find one or two of these ex-Flat runners too pacey at the first time of asking. Finally, Mae Moss has shown some promise in bumpers and Exit To Saumar is nowhere near as good as his breeding suggests he should be based on two racecourse efforts. Overall, in what is not a strong race, Estepona looks to hold an excellent chance.
Arctic Cove 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Ellina (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Blue Buster 5-4fav (11-6) Held up, keen, headway on bit over 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (H) gf beating Rogues Gallery (11-11) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Estepona 16-1 (7-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 21, 8l behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov (Flat).
Exit To Saumur (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 27l behind Malt de Vergy (11-8) at Kelso 2m nhf (H) gf in May.
Fair Shake (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Prominent for 4f far side group, 19th of 22, well behind Cardinal Venture (8-10) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov (Flat).
First Look (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Wanango (11-6) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (A) gs in Nov.
Heversham (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 20l behind Topton (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Loaded Gun 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed next, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Diamond Maxine (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov '03.
Nae Bother At All (IRE) Luso gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Tax Exempt and chaser Good Outlook.
Silloth Spirit 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Percussionist (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Third Empire 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Charlie Tango (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Tinian 16-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Blue Empire (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol in Apr (Flat).
Viking Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 15th of 23, well behind Whispered Promises (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Acca Larentia (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Charlie Tango (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Filey Flyer 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 19, 19l behind She's The Lady (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Mae Moss 20-1 (10-2) With leaders, every chance 3f out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Lunar Eclipse (10-5) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gd in Jun.
