led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace
held up in rear, outpaced from 7th
held up in touch, went 3rd after 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, hit 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, clear when hit last, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, in 4th and weakening when blundered 2 out
It's hard to get away from Hopkins here. Support for former pointers Anchor Bridge and Instant Shot would be of interest but both they and Tim Easterby's pair need to improve on the form that they've shown to date. Henry Daly's yard appears to be emerging after a quiet period and Hopkins clearly sets the standard today. He finished second to Tidal Bay on his hurdling debut and ran to a similar level of form when filling the same position on his next two starts. Anchor Bridge is bred to jump a fence but failed to complete in three points and the market may provide the best guide. Instant Shot was well held in a Hexham bumper on his sole start but may yet prove capable of better. Neither Fernandina nor Cumbrian Prince have shown enough to warrant recommendation and this should be straightforward for Hopkins.
Cumbrian Prince 100-1 (11-3) Held up and keen, mistake 1st, never dangerous, 19th of 22, 49l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Fernandina (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 21l behind Folie Dancer (10-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Hopkins (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) In touch, joined leaders 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 11, 34l behind The Sawyer (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan '07.
Instant Shot (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 12, 32l behind Pakineo des Pictons (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
