led to 3 out, led again 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, kept on
in touch to 3rd, weakened after next
chased leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat
in touch, ridden after 3 out, hung left, weakened approaching last
keen, soon chasing leaders, ridden approaching last, edged left and led flat, driven out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, pushed along from 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, kept on flat
always behind
mid-division, jinked right 3rd, mistake next, weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
An interesting opener where the heavy ground will probably string them out and we take Auenmoon to score from Birdwatch, Fabulous Jet and Rajabaa. The selection had not shown too much in his first two starts over British hurdles, but was much more effective last time out at Ayr, where he was not beaten far in similar conditions to this. The handicapper has given him a bit to think about off this mark, and he is by no means a good thing, but he has his ground and we will take a chance on him. Birdwatch will probably be his biggest danger. Keith Reveley's gelding loves plenty of cut in the ground and did the job well in beating Lethem Air at Ayr last time out. He is upped 9lb here as a result, but there may well be more to come. Fabulous Jet came good at Ludlow last time out, though he was a bit lucky in doing so. This ground will make things much tougher and he has to prove he handles it before carrying any of our money. Rojabaa is up 12lb for a Leicester success last time out, and he does handle it soft. The opposition looks stronger here and he will have to improve some to defy the handicapper, but he can put up a good performance nonetheless. However, Auenmoon will relish the ground and gets a tentative vote.
Auenmoon (GER) 80-1 (11-4) Led, ridden 3 out, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 18, 1l behind Regal Heights (10-13) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Birdwatch 3-1fav (11-0) Made all, ran on strongly from last, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Lethem Air (10-9) by 5l, 13 ran.
Fabulous Jet (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Led, headed 3 out, soon driven, held when left clear last, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan beating The Composer (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Royal Stardust 14-1 (11-4) Close up, hit 3 out, weakening when mistake next, 6th of 12, 15l behind Dusky Lord (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Billyandi (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed and not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 14, 12l behind Prairie Moonlight (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jan.
Rojabaa 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, led last, ran on well, won at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd beating Blackthorn (11-1) by 5l, 15 ran.
Eborarry (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, left 2nd last, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Flake (10-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
What'sonyourmind (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, rapid headway on inside to lead 6th, headed 8th, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened next and pulled up at the last in race won by Mayoun (9-8) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Mokum (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened after next, 11th of 14, 47l behind Temoin (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Network Oscar (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Held up, hit 6th, headway 8th, ridden and hung left from 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Spectested (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) sft in Dec.
