held up towards rear, outpaced halfway
towards rear, headway and no impression from halfway
held up, headway and mistake 3 out, weakened from next
always behind, weakened from 6th
chased leaders, chased winner from 4 out, effort when mistake 3 out, one pace when not fluent last 2
mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon outpaced, soon beaten
in touch, outpaced after 5th, rallied 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous
always behind,
held up towards rear, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, headway 4th, weakening when blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
held up mid-division, headway 6th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
in touch, mistake 1st, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
A large field goes to post for this maiden hurdle but on closer inspection not many can be fancied and the principals look to be Key Time, Arctic Ghost and Ham Jammer and the confident vote is given to Key Time. The selection was a fair performer on the flat, is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and need only put in a clear round to score. Arctic Ghost rates the main danger on his latest third behind Team Leader but he will do well to give weight and a beating to some less exposed types. Ham Jammer is another that could go well on his best point form but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Of the remainder Celtic Carisma and Urban Freeway are others that have shown a modicum of ability but may be seen to better effect once handicapped and with this in mind for the winner we return to Key Time who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Arctic Ghost 12-1 (11-0) Always prominent, not fluent 1st, every chance after 3 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 12, nk behind Team Leader (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Cash On Friday 20-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 6th, 10th of 18, well behind Tidal Bay (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Ellerslie George (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led halfway, headed 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 47l behind Mount Sandel (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Gay Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, some headway after 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 13th of 21, 47l behind Classic Capers (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov '04.
Ham Jammer (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on bend approaching 3 out when slipped up 3 out in race won by Hockenheim (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct, 13 ran.
Key Time (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, headway to join leaders 3f out, every chance from 2f out, weakening when short of room inside final furlong, 11th of 31, 7l behind Detroit City (9-1) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
Urban Freeway (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, ridden throughout, headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Litron (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (E) gd in May '04.
Celtic Carisma 50-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 3 out, stayed on from next, blundered last, no impression, 4th of 11, 36l behind Astarador (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
