held up, smooth headway from 6th to track leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from approaching last
held up, headway after 6th to track leaders, ridden after 3 out, headway from approaching last to lead run-in, kept on
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, weakened run-in
always behind, pulled up before 4th
mid-division, weakened from 6th
mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, weakened from approaching 3 out, well beaten when fell last
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
led, headed and tracked leaders 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out and soon weakened
in touch, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 6th
held up in mid-division, smooth headway after 6th to chase leaders, ridden after 3 out, headway to lead approaching last, headed and no extra run-in
Nonrunner
Nerone and Ballyhurry have both shown a reasonable level of form and are entitled to be thereabouts again but both are becoming exposed and preference is for Estepona, who gets the vote ahead of Premier Dane. The last mentioned won a Naas handicap over 1m2f off a mark of 86 when with Kevin Prendergast and could be an interesting recruit to the novice hurdling ranks but lack of a run since joining the yard of Nicky Richards is of concern and he may be best watched with an eye to the future. George Stubbs lost no caste in defeat behind a couple of well handicapped rivals here over course and distance last time but has more to do today, while Loner needs to improve on what he has shown of late to trouble the judge. Nerone looks to be going the right way but may need a softer surface, while Ballyhurry should appreciate the drop to two miles having failed to stay further. Estepona was useful on the flat though and with improvement anticipated for his first outing for Howard Johnson at Kelso last month he is taken to open his account.
Ballyhurry (USA) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, some headway, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 18l behind Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Dec.
Estepona 6-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, effort after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 15, 10l behind First Look (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
George Stubbs (USA) 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway to lead briefly after 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Saif Sareea (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Dec.
Howards Dream (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always behind, 7th of 9, 28l behind Aston Lad (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Logistical 33-1 (10-13) Always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Serbelloni (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Loner 8-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.
Lucky Largo (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 6th, behind when pulled up in race won by Mister Arjay (10-6) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar '04, 12 ran.
Acca Larentia (IRE) 200-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by First Look (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Bint Sesaro (IRE) 66-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 41l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Cashema (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Held up, effort and weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, 34l behind Millagros (11-5) at Perth 2m hdl (E) gd in May.
Peggy Naylor 150-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Border Castle (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec, 19 ran.
Mr Marucci (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Held up, outpaced from over 3f out, 6th of 7, 25l behind Indian Pipe Dream (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr (Flat).
Premier Dane (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, 6th approaching straight, progress under 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Back To Paris (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gf in Aug (Flat).
Nerone (GER) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Oso Magic (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Nicozetto (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 43l behind Predator (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
