held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, not much room before 2 out, led last, drew clear flat, readily
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd after 4th until 6th, went 2nd 2 out until last, 3rd and no impression on winner flat
chased leader until after 4th, went 2nd 6th until 2 out, no extra last
chased leaders on outside, ridden before 4 out, no extra 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 8th, not fluent 3 out, no extra 2 out
jumped left and not always fluent, always behind
led, driven and headed last, no impression on winner flat
A potentially-informative novices’ handicap even though most of these are having a first run over fences. Brief Times and Zacony Rebel are the two with experience over the larger obstacles and they sit at the foot of the handicap, though there is only a 6lb weight range. Llandinabo Lad is a bit of a mudlark so may find conditions too quick while Stimulating Song has been off the track for almost two years. QUINTO DO MAR goes well fresh and was competing in tough handicap company in the spring. He won off this mark over hurdles at Fontwell last November. Barrichello is well regarded and Deeper Blue ended the last campaign in fine form. Thunder Rock won four times over hurdles last season but is another who may find today’s going quicker than ideal.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway going well to led approaching 2 out, pecked 2 out, went clear last, comfortably, won at Ayr 2m 4f (3) gs in Apr beating Grey Skies (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
Barrichello 6-1 (10-8) Led, headed 4th, close up 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out,, 7th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Anna Bunina (10-4) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Llandinabo Lad 12-1 (11-5) In touch in mid-division on inside, pushed along 3rd, lost place from next, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Deeper Blue (FR) 5-2fav (11-13) Tracked front pair, pressed leader 3 out, pushed along and led 2 out, edged right before last, kept on well, readily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Stormy Flight (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Quinta Do Mar (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Prominent, pressed leader 2nd, not fluent 3 out and ridden, weakened 2 out, 10th of 21, 27 1/2l behind Langer Dan (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Stimulating Song 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway after not fluent 2 out, went 4 lengths 2nd when mistake last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Whatsupwithyou (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Brief Times (IRE) 11-8 (11-4) Jumped well, chased winner throughout, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 2 out, held at the last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 3, 3 3/4l behind Geromino (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Zacony Rebel (IRE) Evensfav (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, pressed leader before 3 out, led 3 out, asserted 2 out and went clear, coasted home, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Fanzio (11-2) by 5l, 4 ran.
