in rear and keen, pulled up after halfway
prominent, went wide and lost place on bend after 2f, held from halfway
held up, steady headway 7f out, led over 2f out, ridden out
in touch and keen, lost place 7f out, ridden and rallied over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance 3f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division and keen, closer order after 3f, ridden and weakened 5f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out
held up towards rear, closer order after 3f, driven to chase leaders 5f out, weakened over 2f out
A wideopen bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Mutual Respect, Morgan The Mighty and The Jazz Musician and the narrow vote is given to the highly regarded Mutual Respect. The selection was a fair second on his debut behind Kia Kaha, he is sure to have learnt from the experience and given nominal improvement he will be hard to beat. Morgan The Mighty rates the main danger as he is a well bred Presenting gelding out of winning jumper Another Grouse whose yard can do no wrong in this sphere and he should be closely watched in the market. The Jazz Musician was a fair second on his debut behind Three Guesses and is another that is sure to improve but he is bred to be suited by a longer trip in time. Of the remainder Omme Antique showed promise on his debut and could improve on this faster surface but in a race where the market may well tell all for the winner we return to Mutual Respect.
Bebedash 50-1 (11-7) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Valentines Lady (10-9) at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Nov.
El Sueno (IRE) Anshan gelding, half-brother to Irish 2m4f hurdles winner Missrepresenting.
Morgan The Mighty (IRE) Presenting gelding out of winning jumper Another Grouse.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Held up last, ridden and headway over 3f out, ran on well to go 2nd over 1f out, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Kia Kaha (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Omme Antique (FR) 50-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 32l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov.
Rawcliffe Bay Karinga Bay gelding out of Pedrosa.
The Jazz Musician (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, every chance 2f out, hung left and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Three Guesses (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Touch Thyme (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost pace halfway, soon behind, 13th of 16, 39l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Vinestar (IRE) Fourstars Allstar gelding out of an unraced mare from family of National winner Rag Trade.
Daisyplant 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off final 7f, 12th of 13, well behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs.
Miguela Petoski mare out of Balula's Girl.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) Scribano gelding out of Southern Princess.
Miss Ceka (IRE) Rudimentary filly, half-sister to winning hurdler Miss Mitch.
