mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
in touch, lost place after 4 out, rallied between last 2, kept on no impression
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, not pace of winner flat
in touch, headway 4 out, led briefly next, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leader to 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
held up mid-division, steady headway after 4 out, led soon after next, drew clear flat, comfortably
led and clear to 4 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened
behind, kept on from 3 out, never nearer
mid-division, headway and effort 3 out, soon no impression, weakened last
in touch on outside, lost place 5th, soon behind
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, lost place 3 out, weakened next
QUANTITATIVEEASING looks an exciting recruit to the hurdling game and he is picked today to see off Beauchamp and Mr Syntax. The Nicky Henderson charge won under JP Magnier in a decent Punchestown bumper and was swiftly snapped up by JP McManus. He has reportedly schooled well since and while he will not be a working man's price today, we cannot be in a position to oppose him. Beauchamp was a relatively cheap acquisition. He did not help his cause last time out with a bad error with two to jump though he was shaping as if needing the benefit of a run. Mr Syntax represents an unfashionable yard. The value of his third in a Market Rasen bumper was given a boost by the winner at Wetherby on Wednesday. St Devote has kept busy over the autumn though was well behind our selection when they met previously. Howard Johnson had a number of entries at the five day stage and he will be reliant upon Wave Power. The gelding is from a family of staying chasers so we are happy to watch rather than play this afternoon. Doncaster bumper winner, Cocoa Key appears to be best of the rest. A race likely to produce plenty of future winners with Quantitativeeasing is selected as the one for today.
Arc Warrior (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Ww early, prog to tr ldrs 1/2 way, cl 3rd & gng well bef 2out, disp last, no ex late, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Grapevine Lad (12-0) at Necarne 3m ire ptp hvy in May.
Beauchamp (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 16, 10l behind King In Waiting (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Keen, soon led, jumped right 2nd and 3rd, clear when fell 5th, in a race won by Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Eyre Square (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon hard ridden, just held close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Baron Breeze (10-11) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (5) gf in Mar '08.
Great Vintage (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Keen early, tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 19l behind Pyracantha (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft.
Mister Grady Milieu gelding out of Merimbula.
Mr Syntax (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakening when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Lightening Rod (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Papa Caruso 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct beating Green Grenello (11-1) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Patriot (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway to 7th 4f out, improved in 4th before straight, led under 2f, pushed clear final furlong, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr beating Frawley (11-7) by 8l, 24 ran.
Shadrack (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Made most to 6th, chased leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Frankie Anson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Sole Witness (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Now This Is It (11-6) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jul.
St Devote (FR) 5-4 (11-7) Tracked leader, headway to dispute lead briefly after 3 out, no extra after 2 out and dropped to 5th, left 4th and hampered by faller after last, 4th of 14, 12l behind Hans Crescent (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Super Ally (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 36l behind Bishops Heir (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 38l behind Mr Woods (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08.
Wave Power (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden and effort next, soon outpaced, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Frankie Anson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.