tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, left poor 3rd at last
keen tracked leader, ridden and no impression 2 out, held when fell at last
close up, ridden and weakened before 2 out, detached
in touch, reminders 3rd, ridden and struggling 4 out, detached
led, ridden 2 out, pressed when not fluent next, soon headed, kept on one pace
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, ridden to press leader next, soon led, ran on
close up, ridden and lost place 3 out
King Arise finished a promising third at Southwell on his hurdling bow and should be in the mix but BARNABAS COLLINS is just preferred on the soft ground. The latter made a winning racecourse debut in a bumper at Carlisle last year when beating a couple of subsequent winners and has switched to Donald McCain’s yard since. Adelphi Sprite also makes his hurdling bow after placing in a bumper here while Kiltorcan Boy looks best of the rest.
Adelphi Sprite 13-2 (11-0) Mid division, smooth headway on outside 3f out, every chance alongside leaders final furlong, kept on well final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Grove Road (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Barnabas Collins (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Midfield, close up and ridden when not much room over 1f out, switched to near rail and squeezed for room when challenging leader, asserted close home, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) hvy in Nov beating Del La Mar Rocket (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Doors Breaker (FR) American Post gelding out of Polyandry.
Kiltorcan Boy (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Held up rear of mid-division, behind from 3rd, 6th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Since Day One (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
King Arise (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along home turn, handy before 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Lydford (11-4) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Twoshotsoftequila (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hit 4 out, minor headway before pushed approaching 2 out, keeping on one pace when ridden before last, no further impression, 6th of 13, 22 1/4l behind Captain Quint (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Onestepatatime (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, never in contention, 6th of 8, 21l behind Flower Of Scotland (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.