held up and keen, headway 5th, led and mistake 2 out, driven out
held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard, headway to lead after 2nd, jumped right 3 out, headed 2 out, beaten when jumped right last
mid-division, ridden and headway when jumped right 3 out, weakening when jumped right 2 out and last
mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to after 2nd, prominent to 5th, soon behind
prominent, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
unseated and bolted before start, mid-division, headway 4th, carried right 3 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish
pecked 1st, always behind
Rajayoga is given the confident vote in the opener with Double Aspect and Cap Classique rated as the main dangers. The selection won well over this course and distance last time when beating Argent Ou Or. This was a much improved effort from his debut over hurdles and with conditions in his favour he looks the one to be with again. Cap Classique finished in mid-division in a bumper on this track last time, but he had previously won well at Hereford and he has to be of interest here on his hurdling bow. The booking of Richard Johnson is another plus, although his latest effort would be a negative against him. Double Aspect was far from convincing on his hurdling debut last time over this course and distance, but that was his first run for his new trainer and his yard merit plenty of respect in these type of events. Fleetwood Bay is an interesting newcomer from the Victor Dartnall yard and is worth noting in the market, but for the winner we return to Rajayoga who need only reproduce his latest effort to score again.
Rajayoga 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, headway 2 out, hit last, soon led, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in May beating Argent Ou Or (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Cap Classique 20-1 (11-4) Unruly at start, mid-division, headway when not clear run on bend 3f out, no impression, 11th of 18, 21l behind Nocivo (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gd in May.
Fleetwood Bay 20-1 (8-12) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 26l behind Smokin Joe (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp (E3) pol in Dec (Flat).
Ice And Fire 50-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 32l behind Keep On Movin' (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
Irish Playwright (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 1st, prominent to 7th, soon behind, 8th of 15, 35l behind Keep On Movin' (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
Optimism (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Absolut Power (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gf.
Double Aspect (IRE) 15-8 (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders from 2 out, hung left under pressure from last, 4th of 20, 13l behind Fairly High (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Not To Be Missed 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, not quicken close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Fenney Spring (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (F) gs.
Simiola 100-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 16, 32l behind Darrias (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gd.
Casisle 50-1 (10-6) Keen in mid-division, effort after 5th, soon tailed off, last of 11, well behind Miami Explorer (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gf in May.
