held up, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, hanging left, lost 2nd over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to regain 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 5f out to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
started slowly, behind, headway over 3f out, switched left well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong nearest finish
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, kept on to chase clear winner over 1f out, lost 2nd final strides
started slowly, led after 4f, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, led 4f, stayed prominent, ridden and weakened from 2f out
started slowly, towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on steadily final 2f, never nearer
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and lost place 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
in touch, led over 3f out, went well clear over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure, driven out
in touch until weakened over 3f out
behind and never on terms
Some course regulars lining up for this amateur riders contest. Cumbrian Knight, second in the race last year is selected to win for the father-daughter combination of Malcolm and Nicola Jefferson. Second in this contest last year, the ten year-old scored last time at Southwell where two today's rivals York Cliff and Blue Hills were behind in second and third. Suited by the strong pace that usually materialises in these events, he makes obvious appeal in an open heat. York Cliff looked the most likely winner until being worn down by Cumbrian Knight at Southwell. The eye-shield is now taken off while Blue Hills, who goes very well for Marie King is another that usually gives his running. These horses do have their turns in these contests and today is likely to be no different but Cumbrian Knight can confirm the form from Southwell with those two horses. Jubilent Note represents the County Tipperary yard of Mick Murphy. He is a very capable sort on his day but is a tricky ride for any rider let alone an amateur. The visor now replaces blinkers. Daytime Dreamer is the other Irish challenger in the field. He had some decent sorts in close proximity to him in a qualified riders contest at Leopardstown but has failed to reproduce that form since. Turner's Touch steps up in trip but is not a straight-forward ride. CUMBRIAN KNIGHT is the safest alternative in a race with question marks over a number.
Jubilant Note (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Rear of mid-division, ridden and progress before straight, soon chased leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 11l behind Shinkansen (8-13) at Roscommon 1m 4f app hcp gs in Sept.
Zelos (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 16, 14l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Daytime Dreamer (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division on outer, no impression straight, 9th of 14, 12l behind Tarvini (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stk pol in Sept.
Dovedon Hero 13-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Wild Pitch (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb '07.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway, chased leaders 4f out, every chance from over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov beating York Cliff (11-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Blue Hills 9-2 (9-9) Soon led and set steady pace, quickened up 3f out, hard ridden and headed close home, 4th of 12, 1l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Turner's Touch 16-1 (9-4) Steadied start, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on but hanging left, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Wind Flow (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov.
York Cliff 17-2 (11-0) Mid-division, improved to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-4) at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Stravita 13-2 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on, 5th of 12, 1l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 7-1 (10-2) Prominent, led over 8f out, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 19l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Intensifier (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Fortunella (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.
Birthday Star (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden 4f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 8l behind Little Richard (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
Never Catcher (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 1f out, hung left and stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 13, 10l behind Support Fund (9-9) at Warwick 7f fll hcp (5) gs in May.
