in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, jumped left 1st, headed 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last
held up and keen, headway approaching 5th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear from last
held up, hit 5th, weakened from 4 out
with leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up in touch, hit 6th, soon ridden and lost place
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out
always behind, blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
In the opener, Delightful Cliche is selected ahead of Coral's Laurel and Keenan's Future. Much as Delightful Cliche was slightly disappointing last time, his run before that behind Be Be King over today's sort of trip brings him right into things. Coral's Laurel rates a big danger. He may have been a little disappointing over hurdles last time, but his bumper-winning form, which came on going similar to today's, affords him a lot of respect in what is a run-of-the-mill event. Seymar Lad showed improved form to finish second at Market Rasen last time and holds place claims, while being a three-parts brother to Alexander Banquet, you would be hopeful that What'Sonyourmind will develop in time, and he has displayed a modicum of promise. Caulkley's Bank needs to improve on his bare form, but Keenan's Future showed promise when third on his Warwick bumper debut and could go well. All in all, though, it is not a strong race, and the vote goes to Delightful Cliche.
Buy Onling (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3f out, kept on same pace straight, 4th of 12, 6l behind Some Bob Back (10-13) at Clonmel 2m nhf hvy in Nov.
Caulkleys Bank 17-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching omitted hurdle 2 out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Turnstile (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Corals Laurel (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Behind, ridden and some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 8th of 18, 22l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Delightful Cliche 9-1 (10-10) In touch until weakened 3 out, 5th of 15, 35l behind Bougoure (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 10f out, ridden 5f out, headed 4f out, one pace, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-13) at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, joined leaders 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Oscatello (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
What'sonyourmind (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up and keen in touch, weakened after 6th, 12th of 15, well behind Be Be King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Rosina Copper 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place 6th, last of 11, well behind Turnstile (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
