chased clear leader, ridden 5th, soon weakened
led and pulled hard, soon clear, blundered 3 out, headed bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, weakened after
held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, no impression
prominent, ridden after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, ran on same pace from last
hampered 1st, ran out 2nd
held up, mid-division, ridden 5th, soon behind
held up in touch, lost place before 5th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, ran on to go 2nd close home
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out and ridden, headed flat, no extra close home
hampered 1st, soon behind and jumped slowly throughout, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, ran on to chase leaders before 2 out, stayed on one pace from last
prominent, headway after 5th, ridden and led bend approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, rallied and ran on to lead flat, (ran green)
A reasonable event for the track and one in which Salinas, Fontanesi, Reminiscent, Digger and Dinarelli form the shortlist, with Salinas getting the vote. The selection was fourth to Contraband in a fair event at Kempton last time on his British debut. He's won four times in Germany at seven furlongs but could be up to staying this kind of trip and, accordingly, gets the decision. He'll need to jump better than he did that day but, with the experience behind him, could be up to it. Gay Kelleway's Digger has won three times on the Flat at up to 12 furlongs and will not have to be anything out of the ordinary on his hurdling debut to feature. Martin Pipe runs two here, Fontanesi and Dinarelli. Dinarelli won twice on the Flat in France as a three-year-old, proving best at a mile. The beautifully-bred Fontanesi won a 10-furlong maiden for Aidan O'Brien last May, so he has to be seriously considered at this level. Reminiscent is a 14-furlong all-weather winner, and Pitminster Boy was second in a modest event here last time having shown little in points prior to that. Waimea Boy has shown some promise, as has Frosty Run, and they both seem to be gradually improving but Gan Eagla needs to step up on what he has so far shown. Overall, though, Salinas gets the nod.
