led and soon clear, ridden 2 out, one pace when headed approaching last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
started slowly, held up, headway after 6th, hit next, soon weakened and mistake last
started slowly, keen, raced wide, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
in touch, headway 4 out, chased leader 3 out, soon faded
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on
held up, close order 5th, weakened 3 out
An interesting maiden hurdle and MURPHY who was last seen contesting the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival looks the one to beat providing he takes to the jumping game; Tuscar Rock who has the benefit of jumping experience looks the main danger while Charlie Mann introduces a French all-weather winner in Wendel. A stoutly bred NH sort, not surprisingly Murphy was outclassed at Punchestown in what looked a quality renewal of that event but previous to that he finished a good second at Haydock on what was his first run for over ten months. He did race rather keenly in that event possibly owing to freshness but the form has worked out well with the winner subsequently scoring in a winners bumper while the third looks a smart novice hurdling prospect judged on his recent Cheltenham success. Tuscar Rock was beginning to look exposed last season as in seven outings he rarely looked as if he would win. Two miles around here one would think could be on the sharp side. Charlie Mann has his string in fine heart during these early stages of the NH season and if Wendel attracts support it should be noted. It is difficult to get a handle on what he actually achieved when scoring at Deauville in a four runner race but the second has not troubled the judge in three starts since which is hardly encouraging. Safari Journey's jumping has left him down on his first two starts. His breeding does suggest he would have trouble seeing out the two mile trip and that might well be what is contributing to his mistakes in the closing stages of his races. Kerayasi stayed on to take fifth spot in a lady riders contest nine days ago and if he attracted cash beforehand it would make him of some interest but Murphy looks the one to beat.
Crystal Prince 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leader, upsides 3rd, led approaching 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 30l behind Star Lord (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Danski 12-1 (10-12) In touch, came 2nd after 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Argento Luna (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Kerayasi (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Mid-division, effort 3 out, no extra when mistake last, 3rd of 20, 14l behind Mexican Bob (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct '07.
Murphy (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) 15th of 17, well behind Cousin Vinny (12-0) at Punchestown 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Nothingtodeclaire 11-1 (10-9) In touch, keen, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 10th of 11, well behind Lost Treasure (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Pas De Baratin (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, effort when hit 4 out, outpaced next, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Diablo (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept, 10 ran.
Safari Journey (USA) 16-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 18, 32l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Sykalino (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out, 13th of 14, well behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '07.
Tuskar Rock (FR) 9-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Andrew Nick (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Wendel (GER) (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Deauville 1m 4f in Dec beating Specializing (8-11) by 3/4l, 16 ran (Flat).
Winning Show 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway from 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Phoenix Des Mottes (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Smart N Sharp (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Ashleys Poppy (10-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gs in Mar.
