prominent, chased winner from after 4th, tried to close under pressure last, no impression run-in, just held on for 2nd
held up in touch, stayed on approaching last, kept on run-in and almost snatched 2nd, not reach winner
made all, in command approaching last, driven right out
chased leader, challenged before 3 out, weakened under pressure approaching 2 out
jumped right at several flights, chased winner 4th, stayed prominent until weakened 3 out
held up in 6th, driven and weakened approaching 3 out
mistake 1st, always behind, struggling 3 out
always in rear, tailed off approaching 3 out
always behind, tailed off approaching 3 out
Arguably the most interesting race of the day as there should be plenty more to come from plenty of this field in the coming seasons. Working Title, Planet Of Sound and Free World are the three that we prefer as Calgary Bay has too much to prove over hurdles now for our liking and is likely to be seen to better effect over fences next season. Working Title is the pick. The selection proved no match for Group Captain on his second outing over hurdles but there was no disgrace in defeat to a smart performer and he has looked the part on his other outings. Planet Of Sound has been running well in handicap company and should give a good account of himself despite, perhaps, not having as big a home reputation as some of his opponents. Free World is one such horse (and Calgary Bay another) and he was well supported to win the Imperial Cup on his British debut having won two of his three starts in France. He weakened tamely out of contention that day but his connections should have enough useful horses to compare him to and are unlikely to have been far off the mark with their assessment. He still has to prove it on Albion's shores though so we'll stick with the proven form of Working Title.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division until 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 18th of 22, well behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Working Title (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure approaching last, kept on to lead close home, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Noticeable (10-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Planet of Sound 7-2fav (11-5) In touch, bumped after 6th, ridden well before 3 out,chased winner just after 2 out, hit last, stayed on flat but no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Doctor David (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Free World (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Prominent, ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 22, 21l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7f out, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 36l behind Mad Max (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Little Bit of Hush (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway and effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 23l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
The Good Guy (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Keen in rear, hampered 2nd, blundered 7th, some headway after 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 25l behind Quickbeam (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
West Ridge 7-2 (11-1) Held up, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Latalanta (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 50-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, well behind Greenbridge (10-9) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
