led to 7th, chased winner, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 10th
towards rear, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden clear 3 out, stayed on
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
prominent, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and hung left approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
with leader to 6th, hit next, weakened approaching 10th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
The shortlisted three are Best Profile, Karanja and Gritti Palace, with the vote going to the first-named. A soft-ground point-to-point winner in Ireland, Best Profile won a steadily-run affair on testing going on his hurdling debut but, even so, looked a fair enough recruit to this game based on that and is very much respected in this company. Karanja was put in his place by Denman at Wincanton last time and, even though he has a big reputation, he emptied out disappointingly there, although, on the upside, his stable has been among the winners this week, Denman looks pretty decent and he is getting six pounds from the selection. The further they went, the better Gritti Palace looked on his Chepstow hurdling debut over three miles, and he has to be considered even though he is dropping back in trip today. Seven-time Flat winner at up to two miles, Toni Alcala, has shown enough over hurdles to get a mention, while Eight Fifty Five showed promise on his hurdling debut, but more will be required today, and Retro's Girl gets a solid-enough mention as she has shown ability in bumpers and over hurdles. Woodview finished second in a Fairyhouse bumper in April 2004, but has had an injury-blighted time since and, finally, Break The Ice hinted at some ability in a Plumpton bumper, but more will be needed for her to win. Once again, then, the vote just goes to Best Profile.
Best Profile (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th to 5th, remained in touch, led again 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Oct beating Nevada Red (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Eight Fifty Five (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, stayed on from 3 out, hung left flat, one pace, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Saltango (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Soon pushed along in rear, plenty to do when stayed on from over 2f out, hard ridden after last, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Dunbell Boy (11-2) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (F) sft in Oct.
Karanja 8-11fav (10-12) Prominent, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Denman (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gd.
Strange Days (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch to 6f out, 5th of 8, 15l behind What A Vintage (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy.
Toni Alcala 16-1 (10-11) In touch, effort after 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 17, 28l behind Ballyfitz (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs.
Woodview (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Ran loose going to start, slowly away, behind not fluent, some headway 8th, never on terms, 5th of 11, 21l behind Kupka (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Oct '04.
Retro's Girl (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon held, 4th of 11, 18l behind Refinement (11-4) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
