jumped right and hampered 1st, always behind
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led to 2nd, led 3rd to 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out
pulled hard, soon prominent, weakened approaching 5th, mistake 3 out and 2 out
pulled hard until unsighted and fell 1st
in touch, went 2nd after 5th, led last, pushed clear, eased towards finish
mid-division, behind from 4th
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, never near leaders
raced keenly in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 3 out, no further progress
always prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed when jumped left last, one pace
Not an easy start to proceedings for punters but with those who have raced before not jumping off the page, newcomers Caught In Time and Silver Court could be the two to concentrate on with the vote going to the former. Jonjo O'Neill's four-year-old is out of smart French stayer (won up to 1m6f on the flat and 2m3f over timber) and assuming that he has schooled proficiently over hurdles, he could be the one to side with in an open affair. Silver Court was only moderate on the flat but deserves respect for his in-form stable, whilst Timmy Murphy looks an eye-catching jockey booking for Ushnu. His hurdling debut was a decent effort at Towcester and if learning from that experience he must have major claims. It remains to be seen whether his $875,000 price tag as a yearling will ever be repaid; highly unlikely one thinks. Harry's Lane has had more chances than the drug-riddled Pete Doherty and needs to be left alone again, whilst Chandlers Cross can go well if building on his recent fourth. A toughie for punters then, and newcomer Caught In Time gets the tentative vote.
Chandlers Cross (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up, headway on inside approaching 3 out, switched right approaching last, hung left last, weakened, 4th of 12, 10l behind Kanad (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
City Breeze (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, mistake 5th, soon ridden, no impression from next, 7th of 16, 27l behind Give Me A Dime (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Gumlayloy 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 3rd, jumped slowly and headed 5th, weakened after next, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Different Class (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Harry's Lane 100-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, progress from 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Sargentos (GER) 14-1 (8-5) last of 9, distance behind First Time (9-7) in the snow at St Moritz, 1m2f frozen in February (Flat).
Silver Court 12-1 (9-3) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 12th of 15, 21l behind Good Article (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in Aug (Flat).
Soprano (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leader to 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 18, 19l behind Duc De Regniere (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Caught In Time (IRE) Lahib gelding out of winning stayer Yamashina.
