took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd or 4th, weakened after 3 out
in rear, jumped left and not fluent 1st, ridden approacing 3rd, well beaten before 3 out
took keen hold in rear, hesitant 1st, mistake next, ridden 4th briefly, headway to go 2nd when jumped slowly 5th, soon lost place, weakening when bad mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mistake 1st, tracked leader, mistake 4th, refused to race on bend soon after
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, soon left 2nd, ridden and demoted to 3rd approaching 2 out, hung left before last, stayed on under pressure, regained 2nd close home
led, took keen hold, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, jumped left and mistake 3rd, not fluent and went left next, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch, mistake 1st, lost place when mistake, hampered and stumbled 3rd, mistake 5th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, not much room 1st, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon led, ridden out
In the hope that a first-time visor works the oracle one last chance is given to SASSANIAN. Tim Vaughan has his string in good form and his gelding looks to have the ability required to win a race of this nature. Whether he has the attitude is another matter altogether but the headgear may just change that and if it does he should take some beating. Should he once again finish second it may be to Celtic Intrigue, a horse who will get further but 2m1f on soft ground is a suitable starting point for his hurdles career; market support would be noteworthy. Royal And Ancient is just about the pick of the flat recruits as he's got an engine, although Joan D'Arc has been running well enough on the level to deserve a mention with tongue-tied Sefton Park in what looks a poor affair.
Baltic Ben (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Held up on outside, jumped left and mistake 1st, mistake 3rd, weakened 5th, 4th of 8, 43l behind Gulf Punch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Celtic Intrigue (IRE) Celtic Swing gelding out of Macca Luna.
Freckle Face Septieme Ciel gelding out of Wavet.
Othello (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, mistake 4th, lost 2nd next, soon edged left, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 47l behind Gulf Punch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Dwelt, soon ridden to chase leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 9th of 10, 7l behind Desert Romance (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp 60-90 gf in Jun (flat).
Sassanian (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Pressed leader, led 4th until next, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Meetings Man (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f juv hdl (4) gd.
Sefton Park 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent and reminder 4th, mistake and weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Pobs Trophy (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo sll hdl (5) gf.
A P Ling 33-1 (10-3) Took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 1st, very erratic next, not fluent and lost place 4th, rallied 2 out, pressing winner approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Destiny's Dancer (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gf.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on, never trouubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Minikin (9-6) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf (flat).
Mini Max 40-1 (10-10) Led until tried to refuse 1st, chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Destiny's Dancer (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (4) gf.
