held up in rear, headway 4f out, one pace over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
chased leaders on inside, not much room just over 5f out, soon lost place, well beaten final 3f
chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, stayed on, led towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and one pace 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
pressed leader until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish
in rear, some headway over 3f out, soon weakened
MORTLACH found one too good when sent off favourite at Chepstow on his debut but Paul Nicholls’ charge will have benefitted for the experience and is preferred to Wireless Operator. The latter was placed at Warwick on his introduction without threatening the winner while Kearney Hill finished closer at Sedgefield last time. Hand In My Pocket debuts under Rules having finished second in an Irish point-to-point while Brian Hughes partners Dartum Tempus for Richard Fahey’s yard.
Above Suspicion (IRE) Oscar gelding out of The Sailors Bonnet.
Dartum Tempus (IRE) Arcadio gelding out of Vera Glynn.
Kearney Hill (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside tracking leaders 7f out, plugged on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Lubeat Foras (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) sft in Jan.
Mortlach 13-8fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, switched left 3f out, edged left well over 1f out, soon chasing winner, no impression, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Cadmar (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Wireless Operator (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 9 1/4l behind Wilde About Oscar (11-0) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Hand In My Pocket (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Cl up, 5th aftr a mile, 3rd 6out, 2l 3rd aftr 4out, mstk 3out, so in 3rd bef last, 2nd early flat, nrst at fin, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Queens Brook (11-11) at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Billy Bathgate New Approach gelding out of Bustling.
