held up in mid-division and off the pace, some headway to track leading pair after 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, well clear and eased run-in
held up mid-division, behind from 5th, soon tailed off
tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when hit last
always behind, tailed off from 6th
mid-division, lost place before 5th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
held up mid-division and off the pace, mistake 3rd, hit 3 out, staying on when not much room last and run-in
behind, kept on from 3 out, never reached challenging position
blundered 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 6th, weakened 2 out, hung right run-in
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, chased leading pair 6th, hard ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
not jump well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
close up, headway to track leading pair 3 out, weakened next
This is a good competitive contest to get proceedings underway and will give the vote to Equilibria, who is preferred to Cruise Director and Mystery Lot. The selection is a course and distance winner and although he was a little disappointing last time out, that was in a much better race than this and a reproduction of his previous effort on this track should be good enough today. Cruise Director was a fair sort on the flat and made a pleasing debut over hurdles when fourth behind Craven at Newbury last month. He will need to improve to make the frame here but that is possible and he should not be dismissed lightly. Mystery Lot will relish today's ground conditions and coming from the Alan King yard she is sure to have been well-schooled for this her hurdling bow. Josear and Haloo Baloo are others that would have to enter calculations on their best form, but for the winner we will stick with Equilibria.
Alright Now M'Lad (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Behind from 4th, 12th of 18, well behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Armagh South (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, headway to chase winner from 2 out, held when hit last, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Political Sox (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Nov '04.
Cruise Director 14-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last, 4th of 25, 30l behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Flamand (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden some headway from 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 20l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Haloo Baloo 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, kept on steadily approaching 2 out, no danger, 8th of 16, 19l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Harcourt (USA) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened and struggling next, well behind when blundered 2 out, 16th of 25, well behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 40-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner 4th to 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 19, 8l behind Nous Voila (11-4) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Red Jester 150-1 (10-7) Towards rear when unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Sea The Light (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Ridjit (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Close up, 2nd 6f out, weakened quickly 4f out, trailing straight, 17th of 20, well behind Back To Bid (11-13) at Gowran Park 2m nhf hvy in Apr.
Equilibria (USA) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, some moderate progress approaching 5th, no further impression, 10th of 15, 47l behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Josear 100-1 (11-0) Soon in touch, ridden and lost place 4th pulled up 4 out in race won by Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Little Gannet 100-1 (10-4) Always behind, virtually pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 19 ran.
Mystery Lot (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 15, 27l behind Strawberry Dale (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) hvy in Nov (Flat).
