chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out
held up, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
led, headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden and weakened 4f out
held up, headway over 5f out, weakened final furlong
soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
held up mid-division, lost place over 5f out
chased leaders, jumped path over 6f out, soon ridden and weakened
always towards rear, tailed off final 4f
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong
chased leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, chased winner 2f out, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 5f out
held up, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong
held up, headway 5f out, stayed on same pace
Fresh Air And Fun can provide the answers to this puzzle although he faces stout opposition from Corkage, Noble Alan and Calaficial. The selection carries the famous Jim McGrath colours and the figures maestro would have been delighted by the ease of his victory at Worcester. It is not easy for horses to shoulder penalties at this level but the authority in which he accomplished the Worcester task was worth far more than the winning margin. Pam Sly's runners have to be noted and Corkage won a Hexham bumper in some style. A son of Second Empire, there is more to come. Noble Alan has an interesting pedigree given the sort of horse Nicky Richards is associated with. Bred very much in mind of the flat, he was sold for just over 65000gns at the sales. Calafical is bred to perhaps need a little further than this trip. Related to plenty of previous winners, he is sure to have some ability. Joseph is part-owned by Lord Daresbury. The owner is likely to be there to support him at one of his local circuits. Peters Star won an ordinary affair at Bangor in a very slow time. More is required at this level. Cool Operator attempts to graduate from the pointing sphere and is watched in the market. Cumbrian Prince is a son of Slip Anchor and a similar watching brief is maintained. One for the video and Fresh Air and Fun is today's selection.
Corkage (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along and ran green 5f out, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, pushed out, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gf beating Dark Gentleman (10-11) by 5l, 13 ran.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 4-7fav (10-13) Travelling well, led over 1f out, easily, won at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in May beating Oxford de Lagarde (11-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Joseph 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on strongly under pressure inside final furlong to lead post, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gd beating Northern Blaze (11-1) by a hd, 13 ran.
Peters Star (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Always prominent, led 4f out, clear 2f out, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (5) gd in May beating Marbury Boy (11-2) by 4l, 18 ran.
Calaficial (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Cool Operator (11-7) won at Curraghmore 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Rapid Return (11-7) by 15l, 10 ran.
Crossguard (USA) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 7f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 6th of 16, 9l behind Gun Smith (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Cumbrian Prince Slip Anchor gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper County Classic.
Fair Kald (FR) (12-0) won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp gs in Apr '06 beating Glenoto (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kornati Kid Kayf Tara gelding out of winning chaser Hiltonstown Lass.
Latanier (FR) Cadoudal gelding, half-brother to numerous winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
Major Suspect Hernando gelding, half-brother to winning miler Angel Watch.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) Darazari gelding, half-brother to 5f-1m winner Ger's Royale and sprinter Legend Falls.
Red O'Donnell (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, 13th of 17, well behind Abstinence (10-1) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Room At The Top (IRE) Singspiel gelding out of 1m2f winner Questina.
Sammy Spiderman 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, outpaced and lost place over 6f out, rallied over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 11, 11l behind Harry Wood (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Silly Wupple (11-7) Headway to lead 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec beating Kite Runner (11-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Stop The Show (IRE) King's Theatre gelding, half-brother to winning jumper Knight Templar and bumper All's Rosey.
Noble Alan (GER) King's Theatre gelding, brother to Flat and jumps winner Full House.
