tracked leaders, weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 2nd, led briefly 4th, led again after 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
always in the rear
held up in touch and always going well, jumped right and led on bit 3 out, easy
keen in rear, some progress after 6th
mid-division, jumped slowly and weakened 5th
towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden to chase leaders next, and weakened 2 out
keen, led 2nd, headed briefly 4th, led again 4 out, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, carried right and kept on to chase winner last
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, some headway after 6th, no further impression
Plenty of deadwood here and the three to concentrate on appear to be I'm So Lucky, newcomer Danehill Willy, and Risk Challenge. We will give the tentative vote to the last-named. The selection was impressive on his bumper debut last year at this track and despite disappointing in the big bumper at Aintree, he looks a horse with a promising future. He should be fit from a couple of recent runs on the all-weather and assuming he has been schooled well, this looks a decent opportunity to make a winning debut. I'm So Lucky has been anything but as he has bumped into some decent horses so far. He didn't look straight-forward last time as he hung badly up the run-in and so cannot be fancied for win purposes today. Danehill Willy was rated 92 on the flat and as he handled soft ground he should go well today. However this isn't the easiest of introductions to hurdling and with his stable not in peak form, he is passed over. Nelson's Spice has been disappointing but may appreciate softer ground conditions today, whilst Eumene should be wiser for his British debut last month. Ultimately we will return to Risk Challenge to make a winning start over timber.
Abit Irish (NZ) 14-1 (11-4) Led, headed 5th, weakened after, 10th of 15, well behind Wyldello (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bidoski 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 10th of 16, 50l behind Viper (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Led until headed over 3f out, kept on under pressure, lost second approaching 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Solent (8-13) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in May (Flat).
Galley Law 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, effort approaching next, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Lord Baskerville (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
I'm So Lucky 11-8fav (11-2) Led, 6l clear last, soon ridden and idled, caught close home, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Silver Sister (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Kedgeree 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent last, 6th of 10, 26l behind Mohayer (11-2) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Key Partners (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division and keen, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, well behind Pass The Port (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Liquid Lover (IRE) 80-1 (9-6) Ridden 7f out, always behind, 8th of 9, 28l behind Theatre Groom (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-1) Always in rear, hard ridden 5th, lost touch next, 9th of 11, well behind Majestic Vision (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Risk Challenge (USA) 2-1 (11-6) Led, wide on bend after 4f and headed briefly, headed over 2f out, faded, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Lady Roania (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Nov.
The Terminator (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 13, 18l behind Bathwick Emma (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Where's Trigger 14-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 17, well behind Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Proud Scholar (USA) 28-1 (10-5) Never a factor, 7th of 10, well behind City of Manchester (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Always Baileys (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden along from over 6f out, behind final 4f, last of 12, well behind Wild Pitch (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Eumene (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden when mistake 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 14, 35l behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Jerry Lee (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up rear, ridden 3 out, behind when brought down at the last in race won by Marodima (11-1) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
