mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, lost 2nd between last 2, no extra
made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
behind, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching next, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, reminders 5th, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on from next, never troubled leaders
prominent, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
raced wide, mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
prominent, chased winner 4 out to next, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd again between last 2, no impression
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra from next
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no danger after
in rear, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
The drop in grade and longer trip can see DOOR BOY resume winning ways. What A Buzz, Witty Banter and Classic Cut could be the ones to contest minor honours. The selection is an above average hurdler who hasn't quite come up to scratch in races won by Diamond Harry and Medermit but there's no disgrace in that and this race is his for the taking. He wasn't beaten too far at Ascot despite being patently unsuited by the drop back to two miles and looks a class apart. Donald McCain and James Ewart are sending out plenty of winners at the moment and their representatives should be noted. Classic Cut did show a glimmer of promise on his debut and should be an each-way price but What A Buzz has achieved a good deal more. He may have been pulled up behind Massasoit and beaten a long way behind Karabak but it would be folly to rule him out of this. Witty Banter may be the yard's second string but he's bred for this game and could make his presence felt at a big price but his stablemate, Door Boy, should take all the beating.
Door Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Close up, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 8, 10l behind Medermit (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
What A Buzz 33-1 (11-5) Led, mistake 4th, headed approaching last, weakened, 4th of 9, 21l behind Karabak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Arctic Rock 13-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, raced keenly, outpaced 6th, stayed on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Tarabaloo (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Carrick Star (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 11th of 21, 48l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Castleroche (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, struggling from 5th and pulled up at the last in race won by Letterpress (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Classic Cut 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, some headway 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 14l behind Pontop (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in May.
Country Servant (USA) 150-1 (10-12) Always behind, pushed along after 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Teenage Idol (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Mick Flavin (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Behind, headway and in touch over 5f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 6th of 14, 12l behind Solway Sam (10-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Presque Perdre 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, mistake last, last of 7, 23l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Quiqui de L'Isle (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 21, 41l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Silver Salvo 150-1 (11-5) Held up, struggling from 6 out, 10th of 16, well behind Tarablaze (11-11) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Tantobie (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 5th of 14, 13l behind Rubys Cove (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Witty Banter (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Mrs Avery.
Ethel Briggs 100-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 21 ran.
Paradigm Investor (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 15th of 18, well behind Noble Alan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Nov '07.
Mister Marker (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven and lost place after 5th, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 12 ran.
