mid-division, ridden after 4 out, disputing 4th, one pace when mistake next, kept on, no impression
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
stumbled after 1st, held up mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged next, stayed on to lead after last, ridden and kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
tracked leaders, hit 8th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leader, wandered approaching 8th, led next, edged right last, soon headed, ridden and rallied to lead again final 75 yards
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led to 9th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 4 out, chased leading pair before next, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace
DONEGAL has been the subject of bullish work reports and he can prove his doubters wrong if seeing off the useful Heez A Steel and Going Wrong. A big money purchase at the sales; it is worth noting that he was only narrowly beaten by Conduit in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood when trained by Andrew Balding on the flat. If he has taken to jumping, he could be a very interesting recruit. Heez A Steel has achieved a high enough BHA rating for what he has achieved. Handicapping looks out at present so the option to go novice hurdling seems a formality. Going Wrong made all to win in bottomless going at Carlisle. He ran well previously at this track in a bumper and looks to be very much on the upgrade. Frankie Anson won a poor race at Wetherby in decent style. The yard had a 50% strike rate with their runners at the track last season. Soft Spoken Guy accounted for Aintree bumper winner, Sitting Tenant last time out. That horse has gone on to win since. Diklers Oscar looks an exciting mare and it is something of a surprise that connections elect to come here rather than take a soft option of staying against her own sex. Bygones of Brid was predictably outclassed in the Cheltenham Festival bumper. His form suggests that he might be better suited by plenty of dig underfoot. Not an easy race for the punters to solve but if Donegal has aspirations of reaching the top of the tree, he has to win events of this nature.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) With leader, led before 7th, headed 3 out, every chance when blundered badly and lost place next, soon ridden, kept on flat, 4th of 13, 10l behind Mcmurrough (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Frankie Anson (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) With leader, led 6th, made rest, 10 lengths last, stayed on well easily, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Wave Power (10-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Going Wrong 11-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden and challenged before 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Wymott (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Made most, mistake 3rd, ridden last, rallied when headed briefly flat, stayed on towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Sitting Tennant (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, held up, lost touch 5th, soon well behind, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Reve De Sivola (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Donegal (USA) 20-1 (11-0) Soon 2nd, pushed along from before 5th, soon 3rd, ridden before 3 out, moderate 5th and no impression from next, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 20l behind Jumbo Rio (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 1 sft in May.
Mini Beck 14-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, took closer order on outer 4th, led 8th, not fluent 2 out, headed flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Wymott (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Led, headed 3 out, not fluent last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Qbuster (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, went 2nd between last 2, effort and every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
