led, soon clear, blundered badly, headed 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up, ridden, weakened 4 out
chased clear leader, left in lead 3 out, headed towards finished, one pace
took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, effort, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch, mistakes, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from last
held up, weakened 4th, hampered last
always behind, fell last
held up, keen, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
In an open-looking contest, just a narrow vote goes the way of Amorist who is taken to make a winning debut at the expense of Kingsbury, Glad Big, Modicum, Perfect Storm and Primary Goal to name but a few. The Flat-bred Amorist has not been seen since making all to win unchallenged on the Lingfield Polytrack, but the vibes are good as by all accounts he has schooled well. Providing the going does not turn any softer, Howard Johnson's charge can use his speed to see off his rivals in the long finishing straight and open his account over timber at the first time of asking. Ferdy Murphy won this last year with L'Antartique and saddles Kingsbury who was fifth to Orpen Wide here on his debut a fortnight ago. His dam is a sister to Righthand Man who was a terrific chaser for Michael Dickinson, and it is not hard to envisage this fellow's career lying over fences as well. Glad Big was fairly useful on the all-weather, and should improve for his Plumpton bow, while Modicum shaped well in bumper company last season and will surely pick up a race or two. Perfect Storm mixed it with good company on the Flat, and was pitched in at the deep end at Cheltenham in March 2005. Not seen since, he will surely need the run, while it is difficult to weigh up the chance of the well-bred Primary Goal as the stable is in form but he lacks a run. So does Amorist, but at least he has that experience on the level to call on, and he gets the nod in a hard one to call.
Amorist (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Made all, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Red Birr (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Bluecoat (USA) 10-1 (10-9) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by High Day (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft, 14 ran.
Cordier 50-1 (10-12) Saddle slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
El Chaparral (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden to dispute 2nd from 2 out until last, one pace, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Kontinent (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Eleazar (GER) 15-8 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Dan's Heir (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Glad Big (GER) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 3 out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Almanshood (10-8) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Hawkwell (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Behind, smooth headway when not fluent 3 out, hung right from next, chased winner last, will improve, 2nd of 15, 12l behind Glingerbank (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
Hello It's Me 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 23l behind Cherished Number (11-6) at Southwell 2m 1f hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Kingsbury (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 28l behind Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Modicum (USA) 13-8fav (10-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 7f out, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Gold Thread (10-9) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Mr Aitch (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 41l behind Kontinent (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Perfect Storm 66-1 (11-7) Prominent to 4th, 18th of 20, well behind Arcalis (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar '05.
Primary Goal (IRE) Rudimentary gelding out of an unraced Irish mare.
Royal Game 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 12, 29l behind Pass It On (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Westgate (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, kept on final 2f, never nearer, 5th of 11, 24l behind Sashenka (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Little Sioux (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 42l behind Smart Street (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Lunar Eclipse 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on well to lead near finish, won at Perth 2m nhf (H) gd in Jun '05 beating Dalawan (10-9) by a nk, 11 ran.
Mtilly 66-1 (10-5) Held up, mistake 4th, never on terms, 6th of 15, 37l behind Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Wolds Dancer 14-1 (10-10) Not fluent and behind, reminders 4th, never dangerous, 9th of 12, well behind Alina Rheinberg (10-10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
