led, narrowly headed after 4 out, chased leader, left in narrow lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, outpaced and no chance with winner run-in
chased leader to 2nd, prominent, going well when left close 2nd 2 out, led before last, pushed along and stayed on well run in, readily
close up, chased leaders from 2 out, 3rd and held when not fluent last
always in last trio, hit 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, went right next, led after 4 out, came to outside and hit 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
held up, blundered 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, no danger
held up in mid-division, weakening when badly hampered 2 out
always in last trio, mistake 4th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
held up, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression when slightly hampered next
in touch, headway to 3rd approaching 3 out, slight lead and going ok when fell 2 out
QUANTITATIVEEASING was impressive when landing a maiden hurdle at Newcastle and is taken to follow-up, with Highest Start, Action Impact and Iolith short-listed. The selection won his bumper at the Punchestown Festival in fine style before demolishing his field at Gosforth Park, and he relishes soft ground. The yard could hardly be in better form and with improvement entirely likely he has to be the selection. Paul Nicholls saddles Highest Start, who should come on plenty for his British debut here behind the impressive Finian's Rainbow at the Hennessy meeting. He was a little green in his hurdling but we should see much more this time and he can get involved. Action Impact makes his hurdling debut and was last seen winning a 1m 3f handicap on Kempton's Polytrack from a flat mark of 74 in July. If he can transfer that ability to hurdles then he'd have a squeak here, and he has acted well with cut on the level. Smooth Classic ran with credit in a couple of bumpers and Warren Greatrex now sends him hurdling. Conditions suit him and he is not ruled out. However, a better proposition looks to be Iolith, who goes on the ground and has been prepared by Alan King for this, his hurdling introduction. He stays 11f on the flat, so should get home over this trip, and he could have a big say. Chestnut Ben is related to National Hunt winners and may go well at a price, but he may not possess the class of a few of these, including our pick Quantitativeeasing.
Ashfield's Dream (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Made all, set steady pace, quickened pace 4 out, ridden 2 out, jumped left last, challenged on all sides flat, driven and ran on gamely, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Proud Presence (10-12) by nk, 11 ran.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, steady headway after 4 out, led soon after next, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov beating Mr Syntax (11-0) by 5l, 16 ran.
Action Impact (ARG) 7-2fav (9-8) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside from 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, closed on leader to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul beating Mafeking (9-12) by 2l, 11 ran (flat).
Chestnut Ben (IRE) Ridgewood Ben gelding out of Betseale.
Gross Prophet 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, under pressure 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Sydney Sling (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec '08.
Highest Start (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Not fluent, in touch, headway to dispute close 3rd after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 13, 38l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Iolith (GER) 10-3 (9-2) 2nd of 8, 6l behind Schutzenjunker (9-2) at Dusseldorf(GER) 1m stks gd in Oct (flat).
Oxford City (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and lost place over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Dream Of Fortune (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol (flat).
Smooth Classic (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, challenged over 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Gus Macrae (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Tail of The Bank (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leader after 3f until 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
