tracked leaders, ridden 4th soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
in rear, mistake 2nd, tailed off 4th, pulled up before next
in touch, ridden 3rd, mistake 4th, weakened 5th
in touch and mistake 1st, ridden approaching 5th, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway 4th, mistake next, ridden 3 out, weakening and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led briefly 3rd, stayed prominent and ridden and every chance 2 out, faded approaching last
led, headed briefly 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakening when headed and mistake
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on well
towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace
in touch, weakened 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear, headway 4th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra after last
in rear, ridden 4th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened next
The shortlist contains Hawridge King, Detroit City and Ostrogoth, with the vote going to Ostrogoth. Formerly with John Oxx, Darwaz is interesting, while Philip Hobbs' Detroit City finished second in a Listed race at Newmarket last time. Hawridge King's Hereford second on his hurdling debut was solid enough. Maxamillion was a 60s-rated handicapper on the Flat. French Flat winner Ostrogoth is of huge interest from the Nicky Henderson yard, while 73-rated Flat winner, Pocketwood, showed ability when second on his Plumpton debut, although he'll need to jump better today. Prime Contender was an expensive failure when unseating when a well-backed favourite at Hereford last time, a race in which Hawridge King was second and Take A Mile was third but must have been showing something at home. The 66-rated Irish Flat winner, Quasimodo is of some interest and, finally, Shiny Thing is a 55-rated Flat winner but others are preferred today. Overall, if the market vibe is good, we will stick with Ostrogoth.
Detroit City (USA) 9-2 (8-11) Chased winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Mr Vegas (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Jul (Flat).
Hawridge King 8-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 5th, went 2nd 2 out, riddeg last, switched right flat, ran on, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Maxamillion (IRE) 9-4fav (8-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Magic Amigo (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Nov (Flat).
Ostrogoth (FR) (9-11) won at Lyon Parilly 1m 2f nhf gd in Apr beating O Sole Mio (10-6) by 2l, 8 ran.
Pocketwood 15-8fav (10-12) Mistakes, blundered 1st, in touch, driven from 5th, led and jumped left 3 out, headed before next, no chance when blundered 2 out, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Flaming Weapon (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Oct.
Prime Contender 7-4fav (10-12) Led until jumped right and unseated rider in race won by Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Take A Mile (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, not quicken flat, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Misters Sister 100-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and headway 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, 23l behind Kalmini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov.
