with leader, led briefly after 6th, weakened 3 out, in 6th and no chance when fell 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
made most until 3 out, still every chance last, no extra towards finish
always behind
held up in touch, weakened 6th
took keen hold towards rear, behind from 6th
held up towards rear, no chance from 6th
held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, 5th and no impression on leaders when blundered 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace approaching last
held up in touch, ridden to lead 3 out, ran on well flat
mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, soon no chance
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden after next, behind from 6th
held up in touch, weakened after 6th
behind, ridden after 4th, never dangerous
The Phillip Hobbs yard has been a bit hit and miss recently but we will take a chance here on their newcomer Pearl King, Devils River and Baie des Flamands may provide most danger. The selection was a decent enough handicapper on the flat and finished the campaign with an excellent effort at York. He only went down by a length and half to Realism over the ten furlong trip. Today's distance over hurdles should be ideal and he looks the best option in a modest looking event. Baie des Flamands looks the pick of the experienced runners having been successful on his debut at Hereford. He disappointed next time when pulled up at Doncaster, but if on his game today he should be involved in the finish. The pick of the other debutantes could be the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Devils River who showed promise on his only flat outing. Ceiriog Valley is another to watch out for in the betting, but Pearl King, with Tony McCoy on board is our first choice.
Baie des Flamands (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place and blundered 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Dec, 17 ran.
Devils River (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, no chance after, 7th of 18, 10l behind Sir Edward Elgar (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Ellerslie Tom 25-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, led after 1st until fell 5 out in race won by Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs, 24 ran.
Ember Dancer 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 18, 31l behind Dand Nee (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gf in Dec.
Halcyon Express (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Sole Agent (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy, 13 ran.
Harry May 125-1 (10-7) Held up and keen, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 38l behind Kalmini (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd.
Lightening Fire (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Behind from 3rd, tailed off 6th, 9th of 14, well behind Parsley's Return (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Love Beauty (USA) 50-1 (11-2) Led, mistake 4th, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, well behind Sole Agent (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Mac Federal (IRE) In The Wings colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Pearl King (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Traked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Realism (9-5) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct (Flat).
Political Intrigue 12-1 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Ebtikaar (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Blackcomb Mountain (USA) 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 16l behind Kindling (8-9) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (E3) gs in Oct '04 (Flat).
Ceiriog Valley 13-2 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Caribbean Pearl (7-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (3) sft in Oct (Flat).
Edict 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never a factor, 6th of 11, 8l behind My Boo (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
Kryena 100-1 (10-5) Behind, slightly hampered 4th, headway next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 24, 37l behind Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Showtime Faye 100-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 38l behind Surdoue (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs (Flat).
