in touch, reminder after 4th, weakened after 4 out, behind when blundered next, tailed off
always behind, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, went 5th 2 out, no real impression when jumped left last, weakened flat
held up in rear, moderate effort before 2 out, never involved
mid-division, some headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after
took keen hold in touch, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, led and came to outside 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra in 3rd flat
led hit 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, no threat after
chased leaders, pushed laong after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
in touch in mi-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next and every chance, ridden and dropped to 4th when hung left before last
always towards rear, pluged on from 2 out, went moderate 5th flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, well held in dispute of 7th when unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd going well 3 out, led approaching last, kept on well flat
chased leader pushed along after 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened soon after
always towards rear, tailed off
in touch in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before last, went 2nd flat, kept on but readily held by winner
chased leaders until weakened rapidly after 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off
towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, soon hung left and no impression
POET is a fascinating entry here. A regular winner at Group 3 and Listed level over 1m2f on the Flat, he also revelled in soft ground and certainly has the size to make a hurdler. Though already a seven-year-old, he should have far too much pace for these if his jumping proves up to scratch. If it isn't, Fair Trade may be the one to take advantage as he only found the promising Close Touch too strong at Ascot last month on his hurdles bow. Choc Thornton rides him in preference to Alan King's newcomer Arabian Heights. Snake Eyes was only beaten a neck at Kempton last month and should also be winning soon while Leader Of The Gang showed promise last season. Bankroll, Irish import Boom To Bust and The Nephew are others worthy of a mention.
Aciano (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) In touch, tracked winner after 1f, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Hurricane Spirit (7-13) at Lingfield 1m clm stks (5) pol (flat).
Anton Dolin (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, brief effort when hampered after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Zarzal (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Arabian Heights 33-1 (9-3) Steaded start, held up in rear, no chance and struggling when switched right over 2f out, 18th of 20, 22l behind Danadana (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May (flat).
Bankroll 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, headway after 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 48l behind Up To Something (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Boom To Bust (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, edged ahead close home, won at Bellewstown 1m hcp 60-90 hvy in Jul beating Cheval Rouge (8-7) by nk, 5 ran (flat).
Fair Trade 11-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, closed 6th, not fluent 2 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Close Touch (11-5) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Fitz Volonte 25-1 (10-7) Shared the lead until approaching 4th, chased leader until approaching 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 32l behind Battlecat (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
Ilewin For Hannah 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd before last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Cape Express (11-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Leader Of The Gang 7-2 (10-12) Jumped poorly, chased leaders until mistake and lost place 3rd, never going or jumping towards rear after, ridden and struggling 4 out, 5th of 10, 32l behind Saga De Tercey (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Leeroar (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, fell 3rd, in a race won by Puffin Billy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Master Benjamin 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went modest 3rd before next, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 27l behind At Fishers Cross (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Poet 3-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, rallied entering final furlong, ran on to lead closing stages, ridden out, won at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) hvy in Jul beating French Navy (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran (flat).
The Boogeyman (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until ridden and outpaced before 3 out, no chance after, 6th of 18, 23l behind Oscatara (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
The Nephew (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, hampered next, never on terms, 5th of 14, 34l behind The Italian Yob (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy.
Veloce (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, tracked leader until halfway, chased leaders, led briefly 4f out, chased winner until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Orsippus (9-3) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun (flat).
Theatrical Spirit 200-1 (9-12) Took keen hold towards rear, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Oscatara (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft, 18 ran.
Tooney Malooney 100-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out, behind when pecked badly and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Moscow Presents (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft, 11 ran.
Was My Valentine 125-1 (11-0) Held up behind, struggling 3rd, soon lost touch, continued tailed off, last of 6, well behind She Ranks Me (11-0) at Newbury 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 1-5fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, not much room on inner before 2 out, led last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Minella Definitely (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
