held up, headway 5th, going well 3 out, one pace from 2 out,
mid-division, behind from 5th
led, headed after 2nd, led again after 4th, ridden and weakening when headed 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden with front 5 when mistake 3 out, kept on one pace
in rear, mistake 2nd, behind when pulled up 2 out
in rear, mistake 1st, good headway 6th to go in touch, no further impression
tracked leaders and not jump well, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out
held up mid-division, weakening when jumped slowly 5th
held up mid-division, headway 5th to join leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, ran on
in touch, hit 5th, weakened next, pulled up 2 out
always in rear, mistake 3rd, behind from 5th
This is a very open looking event with Pay Attention, Voy Por Ustedes and Openide all with strong claims however we will take a chance on It's Blue Chip. Henrietta Knight's gelding was most impressive on his hurdles debut, comfortably beating Flying Patriarch. He disappointed last time behind Mr Dinglawi, but that was over an extra three furlongs, back over two miles he looks the none to be on. Pay Attention has progressed nicely all season and has a terrific attitude to racing, he will be difficult to keep out of the frame. Meanwhile Voy Por Ustedes beat the Cheltenham bound Prins Willem back in January and should be capable of going close despite his big weight. Best of the others should be Openide who landed a bumper at big odds before chasing home some top juveniles at Cheltenham. So a very good start to the card and It's Blue Chip is given a tentative vote
Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 6-1 Held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 6th of 7, 23l behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
It's Blue Chip 10-3 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 13, 11l behind Mr Dinglawi at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Norma Hill 6-1 Chased leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, hit last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dancing Pearl at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Pay Attention 9-4 In touch, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (C) sft in Feb beating Almah by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bebe Factual (GER) won at Munchen 1m stk in Oct beating Night Shuffle by 1/2l, 12 ran (Flat).
Downing Street (IRE) 33-1 Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 12l behind Muhaymin at Leicester 1m 2yo mdn (D) gf in Oct '03 (Flat).
Mr Strowger 66-1 Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind Tizi Ouzou at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Norwegian 100-1 Took keen hold, always in rear, 13th of 14, well behind L'oudon at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd.
Nycteos (FR) 7-1 Took keen hold, held up, tracked leading pair 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Iron Man at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Off Beat (USA) 250-1 Held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 47l behind New Rock at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) sft in Feb.
Openide 50-1 Mistakes, led to after 5th, weakening badly when blundered 3 out, 8th of 16, 23l behind Akilak at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
United (GER) 10-1 Made all, clear approaching 2 out, ridden and ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (E) sft in Feb beating Annakita by 14l, 17 ran.
Be Wise Girl 8-1 Held up in rear, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 7l behind Floreana at Fakenham 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Jan.
Jaolins 100-1 Pulled hard in rear, well behind by 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Briareus at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs, 16 ran.
Royaltea 100-1 In touch, ridden after 6th, weakening when hit 3 out, 6th of 18, 20l behind Medison at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (D) gd.
