chased leader, led after 2nd, headed after 3 out, one pace from next
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out
chased leaders, led after 3 out, hit and headed last, not quicken
led until after 2nd, chased leader, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led last, easily
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
held up, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
slowly away and reluctant to race, in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one paced, no impression from last
Hilltime rates as a speculative selection ahead of Nesnaas and Cream Cracker. The selection has had a couple of pipe openers on the flat so should not want for fitness and as a horse that is proven on fast ground, he should have no problems with underfoot conditions and is lesser exposed than most. Cream Cracker won well at Newton Abbot over chase fences and this form was upheld by second placed, Kings Brook, who won easily since. Connections attempt to strike again off a lower hurdles mark but he could be open to a beating from something with a little more flat speed. Nesnaas hails from the relatively quiet Mark Rimell yard and was perhaps unfortunate to run up against a useful sort such as Kanpai on a previous start at the course. The handicapper has not gone mad and he should be with a chance. Broke Road is getting a little long in the tooth but he won a claiming hurdle a couple of weeks ago and is capable of maintaining a level of form. Whether he can do this off handicap terms is another matter entirely. Orpen Wide won two novice events at the beginning of the season but has struggled since. His jumping has left a lot to be desired of late and it could be prudent to oppose again. Feanor has won twice at the course but has not sparkled of late. Hilltime is still open to some improvement and he gets the nod.
Hilltime (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 17l behind Tycoon Hall (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Albarino (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Race keenly towards rear, ridden and weakened 2 out, 14th of 17, 29l behind Tycoon Hall (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 5th, not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 8l behind Iffy (11-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Broke Road (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader to approaching 8th, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out, 8th of 10, 29l behind Barton Park (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Cream Cracker 11-4 (10-2) Held up, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jul beating Kings Brook (11-0) by 18l, 6 ran.
Nesnaas (USA) 13-2 (10-8) Keen, chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Kanpai (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Feanor 10-1 (10-9) Behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 16l behind Kanpai (11-3) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
Brave Dane (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Always behind, 5th of 9, 48l behind Dominican Monk (11-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Jul '05.
