held up in rear, made some late headway
always towards rear
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
always in rear, lost touch final 4f
in touch, ridden halfway, well behind final 3f
chased leaders over 9f
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon in touch, headway 3f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
behind, driven and struggling halfway until made late headway
led, hard ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish
never better than mid-division
in touch, smooth headway on outside to chase leaders over 3f out, went 2nd on bit over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
Recif De Thaix has reportedly been aimed at this race and is accorded respect as is Steptoe but we'll take CILL RIALAIG to prevail. Hughie Morrison won the same race at Exeter the year before with a smart sort who went on to be beaten by half a length in this contest. The form hasn't received that many boosts subsequently but the trainer knows what's required and we're happy to put our faith in him. Recif De Thaix finished close up on his one run in France and represents top connections as does Steptoe who was a warm order ahead of his debut at Haydock and ran a race full of promise. Penalties have been successfully carried in previous renewals which will be music to the ears of impressive Huntingdon winner Whistlejacquet but it's clearly not a race to be dogmatic about with minimal form available for perusal. In light of that Hughie Morrison's record in the race is encouraging for, as well as last year's second, he also sent out the winner in 2004 which is sufficient for us to recommend Cill Rialaig.
Scandal 16-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, good headway on the inside over 2f out, chased leader approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) sft in Nov beating Sophies Trophy (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Stopped Out 20-1 (10-5) In touch, headway over 4f out, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Wetherby 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec beating Tarrivo (10-12) by a ns, 15 ran.
Whistlejacquet 5-2fav (10-12) In touch, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 1m 6f nhf (5) gs in Nov beating The Darling Boy (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Arctic Watch Accondy gelding out of Watcha.
Bobble Hat Bob (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, weakened 3f out, 12th of 18, 25l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Cesium (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 14, 19l behind Cill Rialaig (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gs in Oct.
Civil Servant 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, stayed on final 2f, not trouble leaders, 6th of 18, 12l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Quotation Mark (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Recif De Thaix (FR) (9-10) Ran on from rear, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Rapide De Neulliac (9-10) at Vichy 1m 4f in Sept (Flat).
Roi des Marais (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 18, 18l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led until 10f out, chased leader, regained lead 6f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Scandal (10-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Steptoe 15-8fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dare Me (11-8) at Haydock 2m nhf (3) gs in Nov.
Cill Rialaig 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, joined leaders on bit 3f out, led 2f out, ridden clear, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gs in Oct beating Shalamiyr (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Academy All Star 40-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, challenged over 4f to over 2f out, soon hung left, hung badly left and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 7l behind Eastern Paramour (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Aohna (FR) 7-2fav (10-5) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 18, 11l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Maggio (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace after, 4th of 15, 6l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
