pulled early towards rear, headway ridden 3 out, no danger after
prominent, chased leader after 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, impressive
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out to chase clear winner
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
led, jumped left 3rd, ridden and headway 3 out, soon weakened
chased winner, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace after
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
Nonrunner
A decent little novices' hurdle where among those of interest are Foreign King, Ashkazar, Bring It On Home and Emerald Wilderness and the vote goes to Ashkazar. Foreign King was a slightly fortuitous winner at Warwick last time when the leader ran out on the home turn and, like the other winner Sarde, he has to lump a penalty here which will make his task tricky. Ashkazar stays 12f on the flat and acts with cut, and so has plenty going for him, especially as he was considered good enough to contest the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in July. David Pipe looks to have picked up a decent gelding to campaign over the sticks and he is taken to score. Caoba is another who stays middle distances on the flat and Philip Hobbs can get a tune out of him, but he has plenty to find on flat form with the selection. Of those bred to jump, Emerald Wilderness looks to be the pick and from an in-form yard he can go close after a pipe opener. Bring It On Home is consistent but seems to find one too good and can go well without winning and Ashkazar is taken to score.
Foreign King (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in chasing group, progress 5th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden when left in lead on bend approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, all out, won at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Stagehand (10-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Ashkazar (FR) 14-1 (9-2) Missed break, always rear, 5th of 7, 8l behind Zambezi Sun (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul (Flat).
Bring It On Home 11-4 (11-0) Held up in touch, reminders after 2 out, blundered last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Russian Invader (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Carson's Spirit (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, mid-division until weakened after 5th, last of 9, well behind Franchoek (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 18, 8l behind Sir Monty (11-5) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Lets Get Cracking (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, hit 3rd, effort approaching 2 out, ridden and hung left approaching last, one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Sad Times (10-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Limit (GER) (9-2) 5th of 6, 12l behind Artec (9-2) at Bad Doberan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul (Flat).
Mark of Love (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Caravel (9-5) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Caoba (8-4) Always prominent, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Santa Johanna (9-0) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f 3yo clm gd in Jun (Flat).
Sarde (FR) (10-8) Some late headway, 4th of 13, 7l behind Comaro (10-6) at Enghien 2m hdl in Sept.
