steadied start, pulled very hard in rear, strong headway 7f out, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish
held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
led 1f, remainded prominent, effort over 1f out, soon no impression
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
pulled hard and led after 1f, set steady pace, headed 5f out, weakened over 2f out
reared start, in touch, shaken up over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders keen hold, led just inside final furlong, kept on well
held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
held up in touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra
In the first of the seller, Bethanys Boy is selected ahead of Mr Mischief and Brastar Jelois. Mr Mischief stands out on ratings, is a course and distance winner and, if sharpened up by his recent claiming-race return, would hold obvious claims. Other course and distance winners Bethanys Boy and Regency Red look set to go well. The former would hold a good chance based on his January course and distance claiming second placing, and the latter has handicap form from today's mark that makes him competitive for a place. The David Pipe-trained Brastar Jelois is potentially interesting in a first-time visor while, finally, the longtime absentee Compton Quay would hold very good claims based on his 2005 form but, for today, we will side with Bethanys Boy.
Bethanys Boy (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Steadied start, slowly away, keen, held up in last place, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 15l behind Blue Hills (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Regency Red (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden along 3f out, driven and ran on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Court Of Appeal (10-11) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk (6) gd.
Berlin Bunker (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Led, held approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind That's Rhythm (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar (N.Hunt).
Golden Measure 13-2 (8-4) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 23l behind Jackie Kiely (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb '06.
Rudry World (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Slowly away, held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Wiltshire (9-12) at Southwell 7f sll (6) gf.
Laugh 'n Cry 20-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, slightly outpaced, kept on same pace from final 2f, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Blue Sky Thinking (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol.
Brastar Jelois (FR) 14-1 (9-2) Always behind, ridden 4f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 13l behind Flying Clarets (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3f hcap (4) gf.
Mr Mischief 2-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, driven over 2f out, chased winner final 2f, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Al Moulatham (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f clm (6) fbs in Mar.