held up in last trio, headway when pecked 4 out, chased leading pair after next, ridden and quickened to challenge after 2 out, led just before last, edged left flat, driven out
always behind, not fluent 7th, driven and lost touch 8th, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leading trio, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
in touch, outpaced before 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off
held up in last trio, hit 5th, headway before 8th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed and one pace when hit last, stayed on same pace flat
in touch, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
chased leader until before 2nd, stayed handy until lost place 4 out, outpaced in 5th from next
led at steady pace, joined and mistake 3 out, headed and hit 2 out, soon outpaced to 3rd
took keen hold, chased leader before 2nd until 3 out, 4th and one pace soon after
Favourites have a very good record in this race and it may be that our selection, HEAR MY SONG, will hold that distinction. Trained by the in-form Jonjo O' Neill the gelding showed up well for a long way at Uttoxeter last time when stepped up to this sort of test, although the extra two furlongs today looked as though they would be ideal. Now he has begun to go the right way we will side with him. Cotswold Charmer carries a penalty for an easy success at the same venue, but has it to prove on this faster ground today. Followers of Teenage Kicks have to forgive him a moderate effort at Huntingdon and if he can return to his form from the spring then he has claims.
Cotswold Charmer (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) In rear, not always fluent, hit 3rd, headway after 5th, led approaching last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f cond nov hdl (4) hvy in Oct beating Himayna (9-13) by 10l, 8 ran.
Duke Of Ormond (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Ww rr, 4th 3out, so up in 4th bef 2out, chsd wnr from 2out, no impress from last, ko onepcd, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Native Gallery (12-0) at Ballybunion 3m ire ptp sft in Apr.
Front Street (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) won at Eyton-on-severn 3m ptp in May beating Gem Mill (12-0) by 10l, 11 ran.
Harry Oscar (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, stumbled 6th, weakened 8th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Tullyraine (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 16 ran.
Hear My Song (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, raced wide, headway and hit 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Ackertac (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
No Woman No Cry 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, disputing 3rd after 5th, weakened after 4 out, no chance when hampered 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Aiteen Thirtythree (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Role 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 13, 28l behind Spock (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Teenage Kicks (IRE) 7-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 15, 23l behind Iceman George (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Wyck Hill (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Raced in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Heez A Cracker (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
