ridden 4 out, no danger soon after
held up early, effort 5th, soon weakened
4th and pushed along when fell 3 out
with leader to 3rd, ridden and no impression from 3 out
led, joined 3 out, ridden and headed next, no extra flat
towards rear, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
prominent, chased leader approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace flat (wore cheek pieces)
ridden 3 out, no impression soon after
towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden approaching next, weakened last
chased leaders to halfway, behind when fell 3 out
in touch, hard ridden after 3 out, ran on, nearest finish
headway approaching 4 out, challenged on bit next, led 2 out, kept on well flat
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression from next
A typically robust entry for an early season Wetherby novice with a plethora of Northern newcomers taking on a couple of Southern raiders. Washington Pink is one of the more experienced entrants here and is likely to be towards the head of the market. Chris Grant's charge is arguably a much more realistic betting proposition on a softer surface and is therefore opposed on this faster surface. Tony McCoy has often introduced some of Pat Haslam's better horses over the sticks and Double Spey is his mount today. A maiden on the flat (rated 55), he is sure to have been well schooled but on the negative side, his trainer is out of form at the moment. Direct Descendant won a Market Rasen seller last time out. Sportsman, Tirari and Irish Paddy behind. He is probably better than that grade and his trainer is sending out placed horses at the moment. The relative prices in the ring should indicate the merits of the flat converts. Tap The Stone, Rotuma and Antony Ebeneezer were all pretty modest on the level and it remains to be seen whether they will stay the trip. Briar, on the other hand, could be anything. A soft ground performer in his native Czech Republic, the market will tell its own tale. The TEAMTalk selection is Tunstall. The astute Tim Easterby is regularly among the winners at Wetherby and his well-bred Bahri gelding was rated 78 on the flat. Capable of staying up to 1m2f on the flat, he should love the prevailing surface.
