raced very wide, always prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
pulled hard, held up in rear, good headway to track leaders 2 out, ridden to chase leader last, driven and ran on to lead towards finish
chased clear leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened and mistake 2 out
held up, headway soon after 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace
chased clear leader, led bend approaching 2 out, ridden and headed towards finish
pulled hard, held up in rear, mistake and fell 4 out
led, soon clear, mistake 5th, soon headed, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
AUSTRALIA DAY fits the bill for this race with Slate Gem and Saltagioo others to make appeal. Although Paul Webber's charge is making his way as a chaser these days, this prize is a valuable one and having won a maiden hurdle off a mark of 113; he very much sets the standard for the others. Slate Gem represents the in form Paul Nicholls. He won a Fontwell bumper but with stamina in the pedigree, we are prepared to wait until he steps up in trip before getting involved. Consulate won gamely at Fontwell on his latest start but he'll do well to give winners' penalties away to allcomers. Saltagioo won a claimer for Marco Botti during the summer and is now with Alan King. He has reportedly worked well in the interim so the market has to be watched this afternoon. Byblos rated in the 70's when trained on the flat by Brian Meehan. He tailed off on hurdling debut on very heavy going at Plumpton though is the choice of what was a big five day entry from the Warren Greatrex stable. Scandal was no great shakes on the flat though represents a yard that have had a decent run of late. This looks an obvious opportunity for Australia Day to pick up a prize and he will be priced accordingly.
Consulate (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 6th, ridden approaching last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Mister Matt (10-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Byblos 16-1 (10-12) Disputed 2nd place, not fluent 2nd and next, weakened 3 out, beaten when hit next, 5th of 6, well behind Love And Glory (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Don't Panic (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, mid-division from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 14, 37l behind Carrolls Cross (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Goose Green (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, weakened home straight, last of 6, 29l behind Cool Friend (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Saltagioo (ITY) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, well behind Ordoney (9-3) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep (flat).
Scandal 8-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 6th, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 4th of 13, 19l behind Slip (10-9) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Slate Gem (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up behind leaders, went 2nd 5f out, ridden to challenge and edged left over 1f out, led when veered left inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gf in May beating Dormouse (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Uig 66-1 (10-2) Led until approaching 3rd, weakened 4th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Royal Charm (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Australia Day (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Led, slipped on landing and fell 1st, in a race won by Cootehill (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gf in Oct, 5 ran.
