in touch, hit 3rd, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace from next
tracked leader, joined leader after 3rd, led 5 out, clear approaching last (no time taken)
led and keen, headed 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, disputing 2nd when stumbled badly 2 out, not recover
held up behind, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, behind when unseated rider last
An intriguing and competitive opener to the Wetherby season and BEIDH TINE ANSEO is selected to get the better of Ravati and Classic Contours. Lucinda Russell's string is getting going with a couple of winners of late, and the selection was a slight disappointment when a beaten favourite on his hurdling debut at Perth last month. He has won over both 7f and 10f on the flat in Ireland, achieving a rating of 92 in that sphere, and with experience of timber now under his belt he can come good this time. Classic Contours is rated 22lbs inferior on the level, and while that does not always hold good in the winter game, it gives some idea of a difference in ability. Even so, John Quinn's yard is in fine form at present and this Najran gelding caught a tartar at Market Rasen last time, when he beat everything else home. He acts on fast ground and stays up to 1m 4f on the flat, so he is much respected. Sydney Cove does not have much to find with the leading players based on his Kelso run, and he can go very well. Ravati was brought down at the first when favourite at Sedgefield, having shown plenty of promise when twice finishing runner-up in August. He acts on the going and looks a danger. Even so, Beidh Tine Anseo looks a capable sort and his experience can just give him the edge.
Classic Contours (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 15, 13l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Flaming Blaze 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 50l behind Rupestrian (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Hydrant 3-1fav (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, slightly sort of room and squeezed out 2f out, never dangerous afterwards, 10th of 16, 7l behind Anmar (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug '08 (flat).
Nut Hand (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind True Britannia (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Ravati (IRE) 13-8fav (10-7) Fell 1st, in a race won by Berriedale (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 11 ran.
Strevelyn 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced when hit 3 out, weakened from next, 9th of 15, 25l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Sydney Cove (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Behind, hit 4th, headway 4 out, effort on outside 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Knock Three Times (10-2) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Angels And Demons (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, lost place halfway, soon behind, last of 8, 22l behind Andorn (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sell stks (6) gf in Sep (flat).
Daraqala (FR) (8-11) 8th of 11, 8l behind Kirundo (8-11) at Pont De Vivaux(FR) 1m 3f stk in Apr (flat).
Beidh Tine Anseo (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 13l behind Tillietudlem (11-5) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
