led until 3rd, prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied last, led close home
led in start and dwelt, led approaching 3rd, headed 7th, hit 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up, in touch, headway 7th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, no extra when headed close home
held up, in touch, struggling 6th, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, closing on leaders when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on from next, went 3rd flat
held up, headway approaching 7th, soon ridden, stayed on from 2 out
chased leaders until weakened 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden approaching 7th, beaten when pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
Xila Fontenailles is selected in preference to Warpath and Cold Mountain. The selection won a weak race at Warwick on her latest start and while a 9lb rise is noted, it is worth noting that this was made off a fairly low figure. Warpath has been well fancied before but has failed to deliver on more than one occasion. He ran on doggedly at Ludlow in soft going to post a second last time out so there are few issues in relation to his resolution. Cold Mountain is an infrequent winner but Seamus Mullins' charge can be relied upon to run his race. Archduke Ferdinand has never quite translated his abilities to hurdling although this hasn't stopped connections returning again to break his duck. Outside Investor is high enough up the weights at present but should be capable of handling today's surface. Ingres record of 1 win from 40 hurdling starts says it all. Miss Skippy has gone well for Andrew Thornton in the past and any market move is noted. A trappy affair typical of the day's card and Xila Fontenailles is taken to make full use of the weight concession from all the runners this afternoon.
Warpath (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 7th, soon headed, ridden 3 out, ran on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind River Ripples (10-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Find The King (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Led until 6th, remained prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 5th of 16, 19l behind Royal Katidoki (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 3rd, ridden after 4th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Flaming Weapon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Behind, headway 3 out, every chance after next, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Outside Investor (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Zuleta (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Miss Skippy 5-2fav (11-11) Led 2nd, headed briefly 6th, ridden 3 out, headed last, kept on, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Chamacco (11-2) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Manawanui 7-1 (11-6) Prominent until hit 6th, faded, 7th of 11, well behind Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Xila Fontenailles (FR) 7-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, led approaching 2 out and wandered, not fluent last and hung right, all out, won at Warwick 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Iron Maid (10-12) by a shd, 9 ran.
