tracked leaders, weakened over 6f out and pulled up
with leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up, weakened 4f out
chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up in touch, good headway on outer over 8f out, led over 4f out, pushed clear well over 2f out, easily
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
led and keen, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
slowly away, in rear and keen, headway halfway, chased winner over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, switched left soon after start, outpaced over 4f out
Blue Hills is preferred to Countrywide Belle and Cragganmore Creek. Blue Hills really does tick all the right boxes in this grade as he has gone well for this rider in the past and stays the trip adequately enough. Countrywide Belle was tried over nine furlongs before embarking over hurdles. She can be rather headstrong at the start so the rider will have to be alert. Cragganmore Creek is tried without headgear after numerous attempts with it. Haoin An Bothar has been well beaten in races in England previously but is nevertheless watched in the market. Mi Odds returns after an absence but is hard to recommend as a betting proposition. Blue Hills won't find too many easier opportunities than this and is impossible to oppose.
Countrywide Belle 10-11fav (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Royal Amnesty (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) pol in Mar '06.
Zalzaar (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 13l behind Rickety Bridge (11-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
In Deep 50-1 (8-2) In touch to halfway, ridden, lost place and in rear over 3f out, eased final 2f, tailed off, last of 11, 32l behind Newnham (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Haoin An Bothar (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Led, headed 8f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 11, 39l behind Soldiers Quest (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Cragganmore Creek 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway 6f out to track leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 14l behind Young Scotton (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Captain Smoothy 50-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 27l behind Kirkhammerton (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f banded stk (7) fbs in Oct '06.
Mi Odds 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 11, 46l behind Giddywell (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f sll (6) hvy in Jul.
Katie Kingfisher 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, lost touch from over 4f out, last of 14, 41l behind Ice And Fire (10-8) at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Dec.
The Mighty Ogmore 33-1 (8-1) Always in rear and never a factor, last of 10, 18l behind Royal Premier (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Blue Hills 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, driven and edged right over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Victory Quest (8-9) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.