slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in last pair in steadily run race, going well 2f out, effort on outside over 1f out, driven and closed on winner well inside final furlong, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, driven on outside 2f out, never on terms
held up in 4th, pushed along and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
led at steady pace, quickened 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in 6th in steadily run race, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
held up in 5th, pushed along on inside over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leading pair, effort 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Twice a winner over a mile at Dundalk last year, BUAITEOIR just failed to get his head in front at Wolverhampton on Monday. It didn't help that his rider dropped his reins in the closing stages and Paul D'Arcy's gelding can return to winning ways here. Plenty of others can be given a chance including recent C&D winners Dinner Date and One Oi, but the biggest threat may come from Hip Hip Hooray who had Having A Ball behind when runner-up to the progressive Final Drive here back in November.
Buaiteoir (FR) 13-8fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear in 5th, headway on outside over 2f out, soon chased winner, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Kidlat (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dinner Date 16-1 (8-13) Held up, not trouble leaders, 9th of 14, 17l behind Zebrano (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Hip Hip Hooray 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, not pace of winner final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Gallantry (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Tudor Prince (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, lost place over 3f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Chilli Green (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Having A Ball 7-2fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 11, 6l behind Jodawes (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Abriachan 13-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Tewin Wood (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Unlimited 7-2fav (8-11) Mid-division on inside, driven 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Annes Rocket (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
One Oi 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed narrowly well inside final furlong, battled back gamely to get back up close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Pipers Piping (9-4) by hd, 11 ran.