always in rear
always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden out
in touch, headway after 6th, jumped right to chase leader 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, weakened after 6th, soon hung left
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, detached 5th, hampered next, headway soon after 4 out, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, kept on to chase winner last, always held
tracked leaders, pecked 1st, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out and weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, mistake 4th, no impression
towards rear, headway after 4 out, hampered on bend soon after, one pace
in rear and keen, fell 6th
led, headed 6th, weakened quickly
mid-division, headway 4 out, chasing leaders and weakening when mistake 3 out
keen, mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, soon faded
in touch and keen, ridden 3 out and weakened
Cruchain sets the standard in a decent opener but a chance is taken with The Vicar whilst Pebrock, Major Suspect and July Johnson are amongst others to consider. Cruchain has finished second to two useful prospects on both starts over hurdles but may benefit from a step up in trip. That comment could also be applied to The Vicar but he did well enough when making the running in a slowly run affair at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut to suggest that he may be able to win at the minimum if he gets a stronger pace. The winner of that race is well regarded and the second and ninth have won since to give the form a solid look and he should be involved. Major Suspect finished fifth in an Aintree bumper which is working out very well; with the exception of the winner, the other six horses to finish in the first eight have all gone on to win but he may just need this initial experience. Pebrock represents one of the leading trainers at this track and has the ability to win races whilst July Johnson showed plenty of promise in four Irish bumpers a couple of years back. The market should prove informative but we'll take The Vicar to deliver.
Archenemee (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-div; hdwy 15; went 3rd 2 out; no ex last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Spicketts Girl (11-0) at Hackwood Park 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Cruchain (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, switched right flat, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Edgeover (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
High Standard (NZ) 66-1 (11-5) Held up, blundered 6th, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 26l behind Edgeover (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
I'm The Decider (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway halfway, stayed on, never placed to challenge, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Working Title (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Jack London 200-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
July Johnson (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led, headed 6f out, 2nd and outpaced early straight, kept on under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bootsandslippers (10-9) at Naas 2m nhf gf in Jul '06.
Major Suspect 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f, 5th of 18, 7l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Palos Conti (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway halfway, pushed along over 5f out, beaten 3f out, 5th of 11, 24l behind The Old Pretender (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Pebrock (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Led, hit 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Colisay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Ring Bo Ree (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always behind, 9th of 14, 28l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Strategic Plan (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind Calaficial (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) pol in Dec.
Terminal Bee 16-1 (10-5) Always prominent, led over 3f out, swerved left well over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Ashby Jo (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jul.
The Good Guy (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Led, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 15, 10l behind Mealagh Valley (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
The Vicar (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Set steady pace, shaken up from 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 17, 2l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Aintnonancy 16-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 5l behind Cornerback (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Crickie Pitch 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 10th of 14, well behind Hibiki (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
