tracked leaders, left in lead 6th, ridden when mistake and headed 2 out, weakened and mistake last
took keen hold, held up in rear, rapid headway to go prominent when jumped left and mistake 5th, upsides leader when saddle slipped and pulled up next
left tracking leaders from 6th, going well approaching 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well flat until headed near finish
keen hold early, soon led, narrow lead when carried out approaching 6th
chased leaders, headway going well approaching 3 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, soon hung left under pressure and weakened before last
held up, reminders after 5th, headway on outside from 2 out, chased leader approaching last, stayed on gamely under pressure to lead near finish
reminders and led early, chased leader, driven approaching 3 out, weakened and mistake next
The Paul Nicholls-trained THEHILLOFUISNEACH is selected here ahead of Fabulous Fred and Victory Parade. The selection is one of two horses in the race trained for 'Mr Ffos Las' Dai Walters and he looks the more obvious of the pair. A former Irish point-to-pointer, this Flemensfirth gelding is fancied to make a winning start under rules. Watamu Bay ran well on his hurdling bow behind Moleskin and he looks a potential improver now stepped up further in trip, Victory Parade ran well behind the progressive Bob 'n' You last time out, whilst Alaska Bay has some good bumper form but has been off the track for 602 days. Fabulous Fred should improve for a run at Fontwell and the step up in trip is also in his favour, whilst O Crotaigh travels over from Ireland but has found a tough race to contest. A fantastic race full of 'chasers-to-be', and we are happy to side with Thehillofuisneach.
Victory Parade (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 5th, led again after 7th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Bob 'n' You (10-3) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Alaska View (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Led, clear after 6f, ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bakbenscher (11-9) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar '08.
Fabulous Fred (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gs.
O Crotaigh (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Always prominent, close up and ridden 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from before last, 3rd of 18, 7l behind Quietly Fancied (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl sft.
Thehillofuisneach (IRE) Evens (12-0) Ww rr, prog in 5th gng well 6out, ld aftr 4out, 1l adv last, sow, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Rossmill Lad (12-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Watamu Bay (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, headway before 5th, chased winner after 7th, challenging when hit 3 out, not fluent last 2, 1 length down when hampered flat, no impression, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Moleskin (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) hvy.
Wricksons Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, reminders and ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Jim Bobs Girl (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
