led, hit 4th, headed and blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up, in touch approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always behind, tailed off after 4 out
held up, in touch approaching 3 out, outpaced from next
held up in touch, went 3rd after last, no impression
always behind, tailed off after 4 out
chased leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, drew clear after last, eased heavily towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
With a clear round of jumping SAMBULANDO will be difficult to oppose in the finale, while Quatro Pierji and Blacktoft could fight it out for the minor honours. The selection has had three runs to date finishing second in all. He ran well on the flat in a maiden at Southwell during the winter and has filled the same position on both his hurdle starts. He clearly possesses ability and with further improvement is the one horse in the race to stay on the right side of. Quatro Pierji ran a personal best when finishing second at Ayr last time out. He is only lightly raced and has improved with each outing so is another that warrants respect. Blacktoft was a good handicapper on the level for Stuart Williams and caught the eye on his hurdles debut when finishing third at Plumpton last month. His stable are in good form so he should be noted. However, Sambulando looks the form choice and is given the strong vote to break his maiden tag.
Blacktoft (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Raced freely in lead, wandered at 3rd, headed 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, left poor 3rd next, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Zhukov (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Breeze With Ease (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 14l behind Quite The Man (10-11) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Captain Ling 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 12th of 14, well behind Last One Standing (10-9) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Howards Dream (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Keen early and held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, well behind Catch Bob (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Locked Inthepocket (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 17l behind I'm Delilah (10-7) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Phoenix Nights (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 20l behind Moon Melody (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Aug.
Quatro Pierji (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked clear leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on until no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Agglestone Rock (10-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Sambulando (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, led 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Thumbs Up (10-8) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Tayside Mover 66-1 (8-11) Soon into stride, behind, lost touch final 3f, last of 9, 50l behind Danceinthevalley (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 3yo stk 0-60 (6) gs in Jun '05 (flat).
Marieschi (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Royal Rationale (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
