mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
led, clear 5th until before 7th, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 8th, soon ridden, mistake 3 out, led before next, soon headed, no extra flat
held up in rear, ridden after 9th, headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, stayed on well
held up in rear, ridden after 6th, struggling 9th
mid-division, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
reluctant to race, in rear, ridden after 7th, struggling 9th
prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden after 9th, weakening when mistake last
tracked leader until ridden before 8th, not much room on inside before 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, reminder after 6th, lost place approaching 8th
mid-division, not fluent 6th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, chased winner last, no impression towards finish
held up towards rear, struggling after 6th, pulled up before 8th
Winsley Hill has failed to impress after finishing last year with a bang and Breaking Storm won well at Sedgefield previously but JIMBATAI is our selection ahead of Herne Bay. The pick wasn't far behind King Of Castile at Wetherby latest and the trip will be ideal. There are no reservations regarding the conditions as he generally delivers a good run. Two races ago he finished a distance behind Picaroon at Chepstow and this is a concern but if showing the sort of effort that he is capable of then this could be an ideal opportunity to add to his list of victories. Winsley Hill has claims if returning to the ability she showed last year but we avoid given a terrible try last time out. Herne Bay hasn't been seen for two years and remains an interesting prospect if returning from that long break with a flourish. He has a good record over the hurdles and Paddy Brennan will try to bring out the best in the Ian Williams ten-year-old. Taffy Thomas has finished second on his last two tries but was a long way behind the winner on both occasions. The nod goes to Jimbatai to return to winning ways.
O'Toole (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Led, headed approaching 5th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from next, no impression, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Battle Group (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Led, clear and travelling well when fell 9th, in a race won by King's Alchemist (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09, 5 ran.
Winsley Hill 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Markington (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Breaking Storm (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Behind and niggled along, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 31l behind Inventor (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl (2) gf.
Daurica 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 30l behind Son Of Flicka (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Taffy Thomas 11-4 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, chased winner before next until mistake 4 out, jumped right and not fluent next, regained moderate 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Putney Bridge (11-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Downing Street (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Always in rear, no chance 10th, blundered last, 8th of 16, 49l behind Markington (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Jimbatai (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Held in 4th, chased leading pair 3rd, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, headed last, unable to quicken, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind King Of Castile (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Ovthenight (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 7th, one pace and no impression from 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 10, 15l behind Spare Me (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Woody Valentine (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced when mistake 5th, rallying on outside when mistake last, no impression after, 4th of 9, 7l behind Dunaskin (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Soliya (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May, 14 ran.
Herne Bay (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Rightful Ruler (11-4) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul '08, 13 ran.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Held up, never on terms, 6th of 11, 29l behind Zanir (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
