prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed up when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit last, comfortably
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, went 2nd last, one pace under pressure
mistakes in rear, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, ran wide on bend approaching 4, ridden 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
prominent, outpaced 3 out
not jump well, prominent until weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
ROYAL RATIONALE, the winner of a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in April, sets a reasonable standard here and gets the vote to resume winning ways, getting the verdict over Bergonzi and Haka Dancer. The last mentioned has shown a similar level of ability to the selection having won a maiden hurdle at Listowel when he was trained in Ireland and has run creditably in two starts since trained in the UK. James Lambe's runners always warrant respect and his representative Yachvili is no exception but he does need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. George Moore's Keene Spirit, a bumper winner here in November has to be resepected on his debut over timber but of more interest may be Howard Johnson's Bergonzi, who has shown a decent level of form on the level and could be good enough to take a hand in the finish here. Royal Rationale has the proven form over hurdles though and he is preferred.
Bedizen 16-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 3 out, driven and no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Film Festival (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Haka Dancer (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, 20l behind Baguenaud (11-0) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, not fluent 1st, led after 3 out, soon clear, not fluent and headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Wyeth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Yachvili (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders until fell in race won by Lucky At Last (10-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-109 gs, 16 ran.
Bergonzi (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, well behind Ella (8-13) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) hvy in Jul (Flat).
Bow School (IRE) 1-2fav (12-6) Held up; eff 3 out; hung lft & one pce aft, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Diamond Monroe (12-9) at Larkhill 3m ptp gd in May.
Keene Spirit 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 15, 38l behind Touch of Irish (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Onyergo (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Rocknest Island (8-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May '07. Later dsq to last (Flat).
Stoic Leader (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 24l behind Kalahari King (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Strobe 18-1 (10-11) Not fluent, chased leaders, led before 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Mhilu (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Waterloo Corner 12-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Boy Dancer (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Wee Ziggy 16-1 (10-5) Held up, soon well behind, 18 lengths adrift 3 out, still poor 11th before 2 out, ran on between last two, went 3rd towards finish, too much to do, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Faith And Reason (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp hdl (5) gf in Aug.
