held up, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced
led to halfway, weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 3f out, pushed clear final furlong
keen hold, prominent, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led halfway, headed over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, one pace after
held up, headway and went 3rd 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Most of Paul Nicholls' runners have tended to need the run first time out but he had a bumper winner at Cheltenham on Saturday and is taken to have another one here with Ocean du Moulin, who has shown promise in both starts so far, getting the verdict over Archie Gunn and Quintessentially. The last mentioned did not build on the promise of his debut outing last term so may be best watched at present, especially with Carl Llewellyn's yard yet to hit top form. A market move for Nick Gifford's newcomer Ashleys Poppy would be of interest, while Winsley Hill ran better than expected on his debut but is likely to do better still when finally sent over obstacles. Archie Gunn has shown promise in both starts and is entitled to be thereabouts but Ocean du Moulin has solid claims and he is hard to oppose.
Archie Gunn 14-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 16, 10l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-3) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Crank Hill (11-7) Won at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp gd in May '06 beating Raleagh Choice (12-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Kempton 2m nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Quintessentially (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Behind, some headway into mid-division 5f out, soon no further impression, 13th of 22, well behind Helens Vision (10-8) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Ashleys Poppy (IRE) Ashley Park filly out of winning bumper Scarlet Poppy.
Winsley Hill 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4f out, chasing leaders when hung left over 1f out, soon no extra, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind King of The Jungle (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.