prominent, led 6th, hit 7th, soon clear, easily
in touch until approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
held up, some headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and weakening when mistake 3 out
always towards rear
pulled hard, soon prominent, weakened 7th
held up, brief effort 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner
The Mick Weston is narrowly preferred to Hoh Viss. Richard Philips has made no secret of the regard that he holds this horse in and he could not have been more impressive in landing his maiden over hurdles at this track. Hoh Viss is a likeable individual and had the misfortune of running up against a decent horse last time up. The trip will suit but his form on softened ground has to be a worry. He will set the benchmark off a BHB rating of 120. Palm Island is a recruit from France having raced over middle distances. Beluga Boy has not really capitalised on the form he showed in bumpers although his stable do appear in better nick at present. Negus de Beaumont ran a fair race in a heavy ground bumper at the track but would have to find plenty on official figures. A match on paper and one that should go to The Mick Weston.
Hoh Viss 5-2 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 4th, led briefly and mistake 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Don't Push It (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft.
Beluga (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Keen, in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 13th of 18, 28l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy.
Jacobin (USA) 12-1 (11-7) pulled up at the 10th in race won by Ballyman (11-7) at Maralin 3m ire ptp sft in Oct, 15 ran.
Joseph Beuys (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mistakes, behind, blundered 5th, some headway until blundered and weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Minster Park 80-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression, 10th of 17, 44l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-13) at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 1st, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 17, 26l behind Livingonaknifedge (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) hvy.
Ol' Man River (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 6th, weakened next, 9th of 13, well behind In Accord (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy.
Palm Island (FR) (8-11) behind Crocolyrique (8-11) at Pau 1m 4f in Jan, 15 ran (Flat).
The Mick Weston 4-11fav (10-12) Held up and keen, headway when faltered 6th, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Mayyas (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Pertemps Timmy 12-1 (10-10) Held up, headway after 6f, pushed along from halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Pardon What (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Jun '02.
River of Light (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 6th of 13, 32l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
