led 3rd to 5th at steady pace, ridden and weakened after 9th
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway from 8th, chased leader after 3 out, challenged and upsides when left in lead 2 out, soon in command, driven out, run-in
tracked leaders, hit 7th, weakened before 3 out
held up in last pair, pushed along before 8th, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, went 2nd at last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led before 3 out, pressed and blundered 2 out, not recover, hit last
set steady pace, led to 3rd, chased leader after, led 5th, jumped right next, headed before 3 out, rallied and upsides 2 out, weakened before last
Nonrunner
Just A Splash , Quartier Latin and Lord Of Adventure are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Just A Splash. The selection was slightly disappointing last time out but prior to that he had been in good form. He reverts to hurdles in a poor contest and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Quartier Latin rates the main danger on his latest third behind Industrial Star That form has since been franked and with his yard in form he should be noted in the market. Lord Of Adventure is another worthy of respect on his best form but he has had plenty of chances and again looks vulnerable. Of the remainder Bring Me Sunshine is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but in a poor affair for the winner we return to Just A Splash.
Just A Splash (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, no chance when hampered 3 out, tired when jumped slowly last 2, virtually pulled up run-in, 4th of 7, well behind Concert Pianist (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden after 6th and outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 19l behind Its A Dream (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
It Plays Itself (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, weakened before 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Harrycone Lewis (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 13 ran.
Palm Island (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway before last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Opera Mundi (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Quartier Latin (USA) 5-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Industrial Star (10-12) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Willy The Slip 25-1 (10-9) Soon struggling and always in rear, 7th of 11, 43l behind Mahogany Blaze (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft.
Lord of Adventure (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, hit next, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Blazing Bailey (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
