held up in rear, headway 9th, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, headway and in touch 8th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
held up, headway to join leader 3 out, led before next, ridden out, comfortably
held up in touch and outside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place after 8th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
LATIN AMERICA is taken to make a winning debut over hurdles and can do so at the main expense of Ballycracken and Evella. This should be a thorough test of his abilities despite the small field as there are some promising individuals amongst his six opponents. However, he's making his seasonal return at a time when the yard's horses are running well which is encouraging given that he's been off since March when failing to land a blow in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He looked a decent performer when beating High Gales, who has done well since, on his second start in that sphere and should make up into a useful hurdler. He is entitled to be a little short of peak fitness though which is a concern given the ease with which Evella won over course and distance a fortnight ago. This is much more competitive but it was hard not to be impressed with the manner of her success. Ballycracken showed a very smart level of form in Irish points but has yet to transfer that ability in his two runs under Rules. It's surely just a matter of time until he does do so however and the form of his run at Warwick has received a couple of boosts in the interim so he has to be viewed as the biggest threat. Grands Crus represents a yard that can do little wrong just now but he needs to take another step forwards from his run at Taunton and may need more time although he does have the advantage of racefitness over our selection, Latin America.
Abey M'Boy 40-1 (11-1) Behind, mistake 4 out, headway next, never on terms, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Kerada (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Ballycracken (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, chased leaders next, every chance after 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 18, 9l behind Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Evella (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Made all, clear from 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft beating Epee Celeste (10-12) by 27l, 7 ran.
Grands Crus (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, 3rd next, keeping on same pace and no chance when left modest 2nd last, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft.
Latin America (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Behind, stayed on final 2f, never going pace to get competitive, 13th of 24, 41l behind Dunguib (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar.
M'Lord Bishop (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led over 7f out until over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Awesome Freddie (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Society Night (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Close up, ridden before 6th, weakened under pressure before 8th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '08.
