held up, headway 4th, ridden to chase winner, 2 out to last, one pace flat
jumped slowly 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, some headway when hampered 4th, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders to 4th, behind when blundered last
mistakes, held up, headway after 3rd, lost place next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, jumped slowly, lost place 2nd, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
chased winner from 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened next
This has the look, overall, of a modest race so Door Of Knowledge can make a winning debut ahead of Coctail Lady, Caroubier and maybe La Rose. The selection won a nine-furlong Tramore maiden when trained by Dermot Weld in Ireland and, given that this has the look of a modest contest, ought to go well. As ever with these types of races, check the betting market. Coctail Lady finished ahead of Caroubier last time but she has so far not been able to build on her 100/1 win on her hurdling debut. However, this is probably more her level. Caroubier, a five-time winner at a mile on the Flat, is tried in first-time blinkers here in a bid to improve his chances. Chandelier won an eight-furlong AW apprentice handicap in January but failed to build on that. There's a lot of sprinting blood in his pedigree even though his dam is by Rock Hopper. Ziet d'Alsace won a seven-furlong York seller in July; Roches Fleuries is nicely bred but showed little promise on the Flat although, in keeping with a number of these, could be interesting if taking to eight flights of hurdles. La Rose was second in a 12 furlong Beverley seller in July and, given that this trip should be ok for her, could go well. Inca Moon, a maiden on the Flat, had selling-class form at seven and eight furlongs in that sphere, while Mytton's Quest, another nicely-bred runner, is a maiden on the Flat, but showed bits of promise at two. This brings us back to Door Of Knowledge, who would not have to be a world-beater to score at the first time of asking over hurdles.
