not jumped well, always behind, tailed off 6th
jumped left and mistake 5th, always behind, lost touch 6th
in touch in main group, ridden after 3 out, went third before 2 out, one pace
blundered 5th, always towards rear, lost touch 6th
mid-division, headway after 5th, every chance 3 out, hanging left from before 2 out, beaten when mistake last
in touch in main group, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, went second 3rd, led after 6th, not fluent 3 out, in command last, drew clear flat, ran on well
took keen hold in mid-division, headway under pressure after 6th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last
not jumped well, always towards rear, no chance when hampered 3 out
raced keenly, jumped right, led, clear 2nd, headed after 6th, weakening quickly when fell 3 out
chased clear leader to 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
in rear, jumped slowly 1st, mistake 2nd, pushed along before 5th, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden after 6th, went moderate 4th last
chased leaders, raced keenly, not much room and hampered 6th, soon weakened
A complete guessing game here with no form to go on but from a shortlist of Rupestrian, Abbey Belle, Rebelwithoutacause, Niceonefrankie, and KEY REGARD, it is the last-named who is tentatively selected. The market may be a good starting point in this race with none of the runners having jumped a hurdle in public, and the selection is likely to be near the head of the betting. He was rated 75 on the flat after three starts (including a good beating of the decent Filun) and if he takes to this game then he might be able to make a winning start. Niceonefrankie represents strong connections, as do Double Act and Takelli; the market may help decide which of those two Evan Williams-trained runners is most fancied. Abbey Belle represents a trainer in good form, whilst any market moves for either of Rupestrian (rated 74 on the flat) or Rebelwithoutacause (from a yard who like a touch but is quite speedily bred) would look significant. Sgt Roberts is another to take seriously but we will stick with Key Regard.
Double Act 5-6fav (9-8) Held up in rear, in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Bartica (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Feb (flat).
Harry Africa (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, well behind Golden Sword (9-3) at Fairyhouse 7f 2yo mdn sft in Oct (flat).
Key Regard (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Held up in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Supernoverre (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Lagan Handout 22-1 (8-13) Slowly away, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, hung right and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 41l behind Crystallize (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).
Minder 20-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 17, 11l behind Global (9-6) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd (flat).
Niceonefrankie Ishiguru gelding out of Chesnut Ripple.
Rebelwithoutacause (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Soon chasing leader, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Sicilian Warrior (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan (flat).
Rupestrian 9-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden over 4f, weakened over 2f, 6th of 9, 22l behind Gitano Hernando (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Mar (flat).
Sgt Roberts (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Behind, some late headway from 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 14l behind Rumble Of Thunder (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs (flat).
Stafford Charlie 100-1 (8-0) In touch, lost place over 3f out and eased, 12th of 13, well behind Lake Kalamalka (9-4) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr (flat).
Takelli (IRE) Marju colt out of Takaliya.
Abby Belle (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Raced stands side, held up, ridden halfway, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 6, 3l behind Souter's Sister (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) gf in Aug (flat).
Four Green Fields (IRE) 40-1 (7-9) In touch, lost place 5f out, soon behind, last of 13, 26l behind Autumn Morning (8-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Graysland 100-1 (8-7) Pushed along, always behind, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Blue Dynasty (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep (flat).
Telling Stories (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Eightdaysaweek (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr (flat).
Witch of The Wave (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, hampered soon after, last of 11, well behind Admirable Duque (9-4) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf (flat).
