towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never dangerous after
held up towards rear, outpaced 2 out, headway under pressure after last, kept on towards finish
pulled hard in mid-division, weakened 2 out, beaten when blundered last
soon behind, struggling from halfway
mid-division, headway 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
led 1st, jumped right, hit 4th, headed after last, faded
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, hampered 1st, weakened 2 out
prominent until weakened 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, headway and every chance 2 out, weakened after last
led until jumped slowly and headed 1st, remained prominent, effort and challenged after last, not pace of winner
held up in mid-division, smooth headway to lead after last comfortably
towards rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
Howard Johnson is in top form at present and he can land this opener with Act Sirius, Chip N Pin and Heaven's Gates are just two dangers in a wide open event. The selction is making his hurdling debut following a light campaign on the flat. He did however manage a victory on soft ground at Musselburgh to earn a rating of 76 and with ground and trip likely to suit he could make a winning debut. Chip N PIn has shown a similar level of form in three races to date, against some decent opposition. This is her easiest task to date and she should play a major role. Kevin Ryan sends out Heaven's Gates for a first venture over hurdles. He didn't do too much on the flat but boasts a nice pedigree and any market move should be heeded. Rainbow Flame and Slavonic Lake have both shown ability and cannot easily be ruled out, however on this occasion we will take a chance with a debutante and plump for Act Sirius.
Acapulco Bay 11-1 (8-9) Behind, stayed on final 2f, 4th of 12, 6l behind Grethel (8-9) at Ayr 1m 1f 3yo clm (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Act Sirius (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Pushed along towards rear, ridden over 5f out, no impression from well over 1f out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Bollin Felix (9-0) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Jul (Flat).
Bayonyx (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 11l behind Copernican (8-9) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Jun (Flat).
Danish Rebel (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Led, headed well over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 43l behind Bogside Theatre (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (4) gs in Jul (Flat).
Find Me (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Led for 1f, chased leader, driven to lead approaching final furlong, headed and unable to quicken close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Pairumani Princess (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct '06 (Flat).
Heaven's Gates 12-1 (8-11) Led early, remained close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 5l behind Prince Noel (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) gd in Oct (Flat).
Impact Zone 10-1 (10-12) Close up, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Lie Forrit (10-2) at Carlisle 1m 6f nhf (6) gd.
Kentucky Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 9l behind Hora (8-3) at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Malguru 200-1 (10-2) Held up, reminders 2nd, struggling after next, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind John Dillon (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Rainbow Flame 13-2 (10-12) Towards rear, headway when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Tension Point (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Slavonic Lake 10-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 2nd, headed approaching 4th, chased winner after, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Peredur (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Zoren (FR) Robin Des Champs gelding out of winning chaser Zianini.
Chip N Pin 7-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out, outpaced next, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Mamlook (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, weakened after next, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Mamlook (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
Pagan Starprincess 11-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 4f out, soon ridden, headway over 2f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct beating Let It Be (9-13) by a nk, 13 ran (Flat).
Waiheke Island 16-1 (8-6) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 21l behind Ice Box (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp (6) sft in Jul (Flat).
