mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
tracked leaders, effort to challenge after 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace approaching last
led, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on until headed and no extra flat
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
behind, struggling 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged when not fluent next and last, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead flat
held up, effort 3 out, weakened before next
always behind
There are some lightly raced runners in opposition for the opener on the card but PREMIER SAGAS has the best form on offer following his close second behind Turbo Island at Ayr last month and the Nicky Richards-trained gelding can go one better today with the main dangers rated as Paddy Daly and L'Eldorado. Chris Bealby's gelding stepped up from his debut outing in a Uttoxeter bumper when landing a contest in the same grade at Towcester when last seen in November and he has to be respected on his hurdling debut. Malcolm Jefferson's The Portonion has shown some promise in bumpers but needs to improve for the switch to hurdles to trouble the judge. Tim Easterby's Jackday has plenty of flat racing experience but was well held behind Tilt first time up over timber, although this looks a weaker event so he cannot be discounted. Ibrox was rated higher than Jackday on the level and could be of interest on his first start over timber but a bigger threat is likely to come from Paddy Daly. James Hetherton's gelding ran promisingly on his only start in a bumper and is open to plenty of improvement going over hurdles so he has to be respected but Premier Sagas has an obvious chance and he looks the one to beat.
Highway Nineteen (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Edge Of Town (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Ibrox (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden and outpaced 5f out, kept on under pressure final 2f to go third towards finish, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Dart (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs (flat).
Jackday (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, stayed on from last, 5th of 15, 23l behind Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
L'Eldorado (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Made all, clear 2f out, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov beating Evella (10-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ladies Best 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 3rd & 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Paddy Daly (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 15, 4l behind Birch Hill Bedouin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Play The Rock (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Tilt (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Premier Sagas (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Headway after 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, stayed on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
The Portonion (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) With winner, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 15, 20l behind Little Josh (11-6) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct '08.
What's Occurrin 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, 5th of 15, 39l behind Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Seize The Day (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd and reminders, losing touch when not fluent 7th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
