raced keenly, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon not much room, no impression and weakened over 1f out
prominent halfway, weakened quickly and soon tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led going well over 2f out, stayed on well
raced keenly, chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway to track leaders 7f out, ridden to chase winner final 2f, kept on under pressure
tracked leader to halfway, soon lost place, tailed off
raced wide, held up, headway halfway, chased leaders from 7f out, one pace under pressure final 2f
in touch, outpaced 5f out, soon tailed off
slowly away, green and always last, tailed off when pulled up soon after halfway
The newcomers here don't appear to be anything special on pedigree and so we put this between the three experienced horses, Mars Rock, Lord Musgrave and River Ripples, with the first named getting the vote. Venetia Williams does well in this type of event and Mars Rock showed plenty of ability on his debut. He looked a big threat two furlongs out in the race won by Barton Legend , but did not find as much as hoped for when let down. That was due to lack of experience and he can go one better this afternoon. Lord Musgrave was second in a point to point and should alos be capable of putting that experience to good use here. Point winner River Ripples is from a top yard and has to be considered for each-way purposes. The market will be a good guide here, but without that knowledge we have to plump for Mars Rock.
Boardroom Fiddle (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off final 2f, 12th of 15, well behind Chapel Times (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in May '04.
Lord Musgrave (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) 2nd of 5, 30l behind Seize The Moment (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp gf in May.
Mars Rock (FR) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner and edged left final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Barton Legend (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gs in Mar.
Ray Mond 50-1 (10-7) Keen, in touch, ridden over 7f out, weakened quickly, 12th of 14, well behind Oscardeal (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan.
River Ripples (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 11, nk behind Gungadu (12-0) at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp gs in Feb.
Summer Liric 66-1 (11-1) Chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, 6th of 12, 11l behind Mr Ex (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) gd.
Break The Ice North Col filly out of an unraced mare.
Joseph Beuys (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of a moderate racemare.