led to 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, weakened from next
raced keenly in mid-division, steady headway 3 out, led narrowly when hit next and last, ridden and held on flat
raced keenly in mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, held up behind, kept on from 2 out, never nearer
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind and no danger after
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
tracked leader, headway to lead 3 out, headed when hit next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish
in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next
mid-division, headway and in touch 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakening when blundered next
The most interesting contest on the card thus far can probably go to CAUSEWAY KING, though Royal Max and Saoma are among others who may well have claims. Alan King has had the selection in his care in 2009, after he failed to score in three maidens last year for Mark Johnston. He hasn't exactly covered himself in glory in three further starts with his current trainer, but he is in very good hands when it comes to this sphere, and the yard is very much coming into form. Sure to have been well schooled, he should have no issues with stamina, and he looks worth the nod on his hurdling debut. Royal Max has the most experience under rules in this field and he won a couple of minor events at Stratford in the summer. He has been out of his depth in a couple of reasonable races just lately and has to concede a stone due to his penalties, so it will be very tough today. Saoma won a couple of French bumpers before joining Lucy Wadham. She should handle conditions here and will have no stamina concerns, so is given due respect. Flannel has failed to pull up any trees on the flat and so James Fanshawe introduces him to hurdles here. Reported to have schooled well, he may take to this game much better and a market check is advised. Screaming Brave will probably have to show improvement on what he achieved on the flat to win this, but we could see him getting competitive, and both trip and ground will be no problem, while Phoenix Enforcer would prefer some juice to be seen to best effect. Emirates World, another former Mark Johnston inmate, was as good as any of these on the level, but a true run race here would ask plenty of questions of his reserves of stamina, and for today we will side with Causeway King.
Royal Max (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, bumped and chased winner 1st, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened flat, last of 4, 16l behind Barizan (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Causeway King (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, weakened well over 2f out, eased, 11th of 12, 49l behind Sounds Of Jupiter (9-11) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
Emirates World (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 11l behind Toby Tyler (8-10) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Mar (flat).
Flannel (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 16, 8l behind Twist Again (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug (flat).
Highland Storm 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 6th, soon carried head high and weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Zepnove (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Law And Order 66-1 (10-12) Keen, held up in rear, improved to 4th 3f out, ridden and weakening when fell 2f out, in a race won by Mohanad (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 7 ran.
Navajo Nation (IRE) 4-1 (8-5) Keen, held up in touch, ridden to challenge leader over 2f out, soon every chance, driven inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Lucy's Perfect (8-2) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gf in Oct (flat).
Screaming Brave 3-1fav (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Chichen Daawe (8-6) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Phoenix Enforcer 33-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, pushed along before 3 out, modest 6th 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 18l behind Zepnove (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Saoma (FR) Laveron filly out of Fleurissa.
