keen, towards rear, some headway before 2 out, never near leaders
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, challenging for 3rd when hit last, stayed on flat, not pace of leading pair
keen, led, hit 5th, ridden and headed well before 2 out, weakened rapidly, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor
behind, hit 4th, headway on inside after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, weakened well before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden, one pace and no impression on leading pair when pecked badly last, no extra flat
keen, chased leaders, hit 2nd, weakened before 5th, in rear when fell next
chased leader, challenged 3 out, led going well before next, ridden, pressed and edged left flat, kept on
in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, strong challenge, keeping on, looked just held when hampered on outside rail and snatched up 50 yards out, not able to recover
chased leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened before 2 out
A very weak race and the vote is tentatively given to ADEUS AYRTON ahead of Keep Guessing and Blue Spartan. The selection started at 7/1 on his hurdling bow at Exeter last October but was well-beaten in the end behind Rebel Du Marquis. Presumably that was not his true running and given plenty of time to get over that a bold bid is expected. Blue Spartan was also well-held in his hurdling bow, but this 80-rated flat horse is capable of better, especially at a track that favours speed. Just The Job shaped well in a hot race at Taunton that was won by Sanctuaire, as did the former chaser Kirbys Glen, Keep Guessing should appreciate the better ground this afternoon, whilst Rayon Vert was unfancied for his debut behind Bothy but the race is working out well. Superius contested some good races when trained on the flat over in Ireland but this gelding wasn't really sighted on his recent hurdling debut. He was bought for 50,000 guineas at the Newmarket sales and better is expected. Striking Viking and The Boss Rock are both considered, however the nod is given to Adeus Ayrton.
Adeus Ayrton (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Not fluent and pecked 1st, always in rear, mistake 4th, well behind after 9th, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Blue Spartan (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Heroic Lad 200-1 (11-0) Led, fell 7th, in a race won by Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Just The Job (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, poor 7th and struggling after 3 out, 6th of 13, 31l behind Sanctuaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Keep Guessing 50-1 (11-2) In rear, headway on outer before 2 out, kept on flat, never in contention, 6th of 11, 37l behind Oscar Whisky (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Kirbys Glen (IRE) 150-1 (10-11) Tended to jump right, slow jump 6th and 3 out, headed soon after and weakened well before 2 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind Sanctuaire (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Rayon Vert (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Soon towards rear, mistake 4th, tailed off soon after 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Bothy (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Striking Viking 11-1 (11-0) With leader, led 2nd until hit next, chased leader until weakened approaching 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Superius (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Not fluent, in rear, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
The Boss Rock (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Always in rear, last of 16, well behind Pause And Clause (11-2) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov '08.
Tiger Dream 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, soon struggling to hold place, 8th of 15, well behind Captain Chris (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Knockvicar (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up, raced keenly, struggling 5th, jumped slowly next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Timetoring (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Black Phantom (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) In rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off 4 out, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Lush Life (11-2) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Captain Walcot 100-1 (10-4) Held up, towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, ridden approaching next, never dangerous, 13th of 14, well behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Emirates World (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Advisor (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
