prominent, ridden to lead narrowly bypassing omitted last, hard pressed, held on
led, not fluent normal 4 out, ridden and headed narrowly bypassing omitted last, stayed on, just held
mid-division, headway after normal 4 out, weakened bypassing omitted 2 out
mid-division on outside, not fluent 1st, weakened before normal 3 out
towards rear, well beaten before normal 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway normal 4 out, mistake next, weakened from omitted 2 out
towards rear, some headway before omitted 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, well beaten before omitted 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after normal 3 out, weakened from omitted next
prominent, lost place before normal 4 out, well beaten after omitted 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after normal 3 out, weakened before omitted last
held up in rear, modest progress after normal 3 out, soon weakened
Dual bumper winner BLACK PIRATE looks a nice prospect after a winning start over timber at Wetherby where he travelled well and quicked up nicely. That should just give him the edge over Ebony Jewel, a successful bumper who made all and battled on strongly at Haydock. Bumper winner Doyen Breed will need to improve on what he's shown to date over hurdles to trouble the principals but Archi's Affaire, four-times a winner on the Flat, looks a useful addition to his traner's team and he's one to note. Wee Goldie looks best of the remainder on his hurdling debut.
Black Pirate 5-2 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led after 2 out, edged right, ran on, won at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Brummie Boys (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Ebony Jewel (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Led until 3 out, led again and landed awkwardly 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec beating First Lord De Cuet (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Artic Mann 40-1 (10-12) Not fluent 1st, always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Breaking The Ice (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Hdwy 11; wknd 3 out, 6th of 11, 26 1/2l behind Oscars Fame (12-0) at Cottenham 2m 4f mdn gd in Dec.
Cockle Bay (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Ld & disp, j well, ev ch bef last, hdd run-in, rallied to ld close home, won at The Pigeons 3m mdn hvy in Mar beating Boland's Mill (11-11) by shd, 8 ran.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, one pace when not fluent next, soon no impression, stayed on into modest 3rd after last, 3rd of 13, 14 1/2l behind Endlessly (11-5) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Flutter Down (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, dist behind Mario De Pail (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Mr Toastie 40-1 (11-2) In rear, outpaced 3f out, last of 10, dist behind Elios D'Or (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Raemoir (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, lost place before 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 37 1/2l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Six One Nine (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 6th, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Wee Goldie 5-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, driven over 4f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 12, 24 1/2l behind Blazing Port (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Zealous (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Dwelt close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Greengage (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Flying Moon (GER) 50-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, in touch, hampered and left in narrow lead 5th, headed before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Endlessly (11-5) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Archi's Affaire 28-1 (8-10) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Francis Xavier (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
