mostly tracked leader, dropped to 3rd briefly 2nd, challenged 4 out, led and not fluent next, went left 2 out, came clear before next, very easily
held up in rear, headway to modest 5th when jumped right 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off
chased leading trio, went 3rd after 3rd, wll held and struggling when mistake 2 out
raced in 5th, ridden and struggling before 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold in 3rd, went 2nd briefly 2nd, weakened after next, soon lost touch, tailed off
mistake 1st, in rear, ridden and struggling before 4 out, tailed off
always rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, struggling before 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold, led, joined 4 out, headed next, pushed left 2 out, driven and no chance with winner soon after
DOMTALINE is the obvious place to turn to in the opener and it would be no surprise if he proved to be an above average performer. He will have had extensive schooling in France and pleased on his hurdling bow for his previous connections when taking third in a Listed hurdle at Auteuil and the form looks strong enough with the fourth and fifth successful since as well as the winner going in again. Alan King traditionally has a strong hand in this division so Groove Master, a moderate performer on the level, needs to be considered as a danger along with Fine Lace, a winner of a seller on her most recent start, who represents a yard in fine form.
Domtaline (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Jamal Malik (10-1) at Auteuil(FR) 1m 7f hdl sft in May.
Fochabers 40-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Love Action (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May (flat).
Groove Master 50-1 (8-3) Led for 2f, prominent until weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind Sula Two (9-4) at Bath 1m 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug (flat).
Highland Cadett 11-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 10l behind Bute Street (9-9) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Aug (flat).
Kingspark Boy (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, last of 13, 30l behind Sharaayeen (9-0) at Ffos Las 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep '09 (flat).
Moonbalej 18-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Akula (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Naseby (USA) 66-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 24l behind Kayaan (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Whiepa Snappa (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, carried left over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 12l behind Finch Flyer (8-10) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Fine Lace (IRE) 7-4fav (8-12) In rear, ridden 8f out, headway when switched left over 2f out, chased leader approaching 1f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Warwick 1m 7f 3yo sll (5) sft in Sep beating Admiral Breese (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran (flat).
