always behind, not fluent, mistake 4th, no chance when slightly hampered 3 out
mistake 4th, always behind
towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up in mid-division, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd and hit 2 out, no impression on front pair
tracked leaders, led 4 out, slight advantage when blundered last, pushed along and kept on well run-in
always behind until some late headway
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, soon ridden and struggling
in touch in 4th, chased winner after 4 out, challenged and every chance when blundered last, held run-in
always behind
led to 2nd, stayed in touch, pushed along and behind from 4 out
pulled hard, held up in rear, rapid headway to lead 3rd, headed 4 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next
took keen hold, led 2nd to next, chased leaders to 4 out, stayed in 3rd until weakened 2 out
Warwick's seven race card gets under way with an interesting novices' hurdle in which we will side with MENORAH to make a winning debut for Phillip Hobbs ahead of Ranjobaie and Pistolet Dove in a race where those with hurdle form in the book look worth opposing. The selection made a very promising start to his career when running out a 10 length winner of a Naas bumper under the care of Thomas Mullins before switching yards ahead of his first try over timber and is unsurprisingly the first choice of Richard Johnson who takes the mount. That bumper victory was on soft ground and with rain forecast over the midlands track conditions could well be ideal for the horse to make a winning debut over hurdles. Ranjobaie is a most interesting runner from the Nicky Henderson yard and may well start favourite after an unbeaten run in French bumpers but testing conditions would represent a step into the unknown for the four-year-old but he nevertheless merits serious respect ahead of his British racecourse debut. Pistolet Dove may well be the Hobbs second-string but with the ever-impressing Rhys Flint taking off 3lbs it is not impossible that this one might improve upon his admittedly modest hurdling debut when a well beaten third behind Edgeover though he will do well to trouble the market principles, whilst Alan King's Mr Valentino is worth noting in the betting despite having shown relatively little promise in two bumper starts to date. Of the more exposed horses Just Victor may prove best but that standard surely won't be enough to keep the newcomers at bay and so we return to Menorah to get us off to a winning start.
Ana Buachaill Dana 100-1 (11-0) In touch, pulled hard, went prominent 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 13, 29l behind Oddshoes (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Departed (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd and 5th, hampered 3 out, always behind, 12th of 17, well behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Just Victor 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 24l behind Slip (10-9) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Maurisca (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, bumped after 4th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 14, 22l behind Wester Ross (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Menorah (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Chased leaders, closer 4th before straight, 3rd travelling well under 2f out, quickened impressively to lead from over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Naas 2m 3f N H flat sft in Aug beating Gentle Paddy (11-6) by 10l, 17 ran.
Mr Valentino (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened over 6f out, 8th of 16, 38l behind No Principles (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in May.
Pistolet Dove (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Keen, headway approaching 3 out, driven to chase leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Edgeover (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan '08.
Ranjobaie (FR) (10-7) won at Corlay(FR) 1m 3f N H flat gd in Jun, 12 ran.
Star King (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, outpaced 7f out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 43l behind Double Expresso (11-1) at Southwell 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Steveys Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along halfway, weakened 4 out, 4th of 7, 26l behind Le Platino (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Taffys Diamond 40-1 (10-12) Reluctant and led in start, always in rear, 15th of 16, well behind Oscar Whisky (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Up To The Mark 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 18, 39l behind Lidar (10-8) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (2) gf in Feb.
