mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
pulled early and soon prominent, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no chance with winner
always behind, tailed off and fell 2 out
always behind, no impression
chased leader, carried wide and lost place bend approaching 5th, blundered 5th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
prominent, chased leader after 5th, led after 3 out, jumped right 2 out and last, pushed out flat
in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 2nd last
propped and unseated rider 1st
always towards rear, no impression
A modest opener that can go the way of ART TREND with Persian Storm and King's Alchemist as the alternatives. Paul Nicholls' charge was a winner on the flat over 1m4f for Peter Chapple-Hyam but he has struggled to make the transistion to hurdles albeit in much better company than this. His presence appears to have scared away most of the opposition and it is highly likely that the bookmakers will price accordingly. Persian Storm won in Group 3 company in Germany prior to joining Gary Moore. He will make more appeal once sent handicapping. King's Alchemist ran a career best to chase Silk Hall down to just shy of nine lengths last week. His yard are not exactly prolific in this sphere so he could be an each-way price today. Evan Williams has three in this race though none of them have covered themselves in glory at the racecourse. Tiny Dynamo belied odds of 100/1 to put in a reasonable effort in a Lingfield bumper and could conceivably improve further. Miss Maratana has a flat pedigree though her dam has been a moderate broodmare. Art Trend gets the vote.
Ariodante 100-1 (11-6) Keen, soon in touch, weakened 6th, behind when mistake next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Radmores Revenge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Murphy's Mate 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 6f out, struggling final 4f, tailed off, 8th of 11, 21l behind Dizzy Whizz (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gf in Oct.
Persian Storm (GER) 22-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 21l behind Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Pistol Hill 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear and not jumped well, lost touch from 4th, pulled up before 6th, in a race won by Santia (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Tachbury 66-1 (10-11) In rear, hampered 1st, never dangerous, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Calusa Crystal (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Tiny Dynamo 100-1 (10-13) Pressed leader until well over 1f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 11, 8l behind Aohna (10-3) at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Always Cruising (USA) 40-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 14, 28l behind Izita Star (10-8) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Art Trend (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Held up, driven along 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off, 4th of 9, 36l behind Nino Cochise (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
King's Alchemist 66-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 5th, good headway to go 2nd 6th, carried right 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 9l behind Silk Hall (11-4) at Stratford 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Miss Maratana (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Prominent, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Megasue (10-7) at Worcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Aug.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up and always in the rear, 9th of 11, well behind Santia (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
