made all, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching last, just held on
held up mid-division, reminders 4th, pushed along after next, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching next, one pace from last
held up in mid-division, headway on outer approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, one pace
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, lost place approaching 5 out
behind and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 6th, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well from last, just failed
Rebel Rhythm Vic The Piler and Armariver are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Rebel Rhythm. The selection has been in good form of late and is in very high regard. He was seventh in a grade one affair behind Brewster last time. This looks much easier and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Vic The Piper rates the main danger he is another that is held in high regard and won well on his only start to date when defeating Miss Pross but that form has since been let down and his l;lack of experience may just find him out so for that reason he is opposed. Armariver is from a top yard and was a fair third in a bumper behind Darkness last time. He is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Von Origny is another that won well on his debut and is sure to improve but this looks a tough assignment and he will need to improve. This is a competitive affair and is sure to produce a lot of winners in the future but on this occasion Rebel Rhythm.
Rebel Rhythm 10-3 Chased leaders, effort under pressure before 3 out and weakened, 7th of 8, 44l behind Brewster at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Vic The Piler (IRE) 15-8fav Held up in rear, headway halfway, effort 3 out, stayed on strongly to lead flat, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan beating Miss Pross by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Armariver (FR) 20-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed well over 1f out, chased winner until 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Darkness at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Astral Dancer (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 26l behind Crashtown Leader at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Brankley Boy 5-1 Led, headed 3f out, riddden and outpaced 2f out, rallied and driven to lead again close home, won at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gs in Feb '03 beating Mister Flint by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Down's Folly (IRE) 25-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Corals Laurel at Warwick 2m nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 12-1 Mid-division, ridden and weakened 4th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Big Bone at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Von Origny (FR) 9-2co-fav In touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) sft in Jan beating Kerrs Whin by 4l, 14 ran.
