tracked leaders, tracked winner after 2nd, hit next, ridden after 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd but no chance with winner from next, hit last
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch until weakened 4th, tailed off
held up, hit 2nd, some progress after 5th, no further impression from 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off
led after 1st, drew clear from 2 out, very easily
held up, ridden and steady headway after 5th, blundered 2 out, went 4th last, never troubled leaders
led until after 1st, weakened 4th
Philip Hobbs has his runners in good nick at present and CLOVA ISLAND may well provide him with another winner here, while South Wing and Medermit are interesting. The selection won a Wetherby bumper in May and this extra furlong looks certain to suit. Being by Turtle Island there is every chance he will act with some cut and so with the yard in form and in receipt of weight from a couple of his main rivals we will side with him. South Wing makes his English debut as trainer Eoin Griffin looks for opportunities this side of the water. He handles cut and landed a Clonmel maiden hurdle in September so he is much respected. Medermit won a hurdle at Nantes in May before switching to Alan King, for whom he has his first run today. It seems likely that he will have improved for his handler and been well schooled so we will watch with interest. Mahonia is another potential danger. He won a bumper at Chepstow in February before finishing 19 lengths adrift of Cousin Vinny in the Champion Bumper and Paul Nicholls' runner clearly has ability and should also go on the ground. A decent contest in prospect then and we'll take Clova Island to score.
Medermit (FR) Medaaly gelding out of Miss D'hermite.
South Wing (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway to 5th after 3 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd before last, kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl gs in Sept beating Root Cause (11-4) by a nk, 18 ran.
Alasao 14-1 (11-9) In touch, chased leading pair last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 18l behind Apollo Creed (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Anthony's Road (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden after 6th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 16, 24l behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Ballyveeney (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Whipped round start, clear lead until jumped slowly 2nd, soon headed, chased leader until 6th, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Diamond Harry (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Clova Island 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, clear final 50 yards, won at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in May beating Bumble Rose (10-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Knock Em Dead (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, some headway after 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 32l behind Micheal Flips (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Mahonia (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden but well there 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 23, 19l behind Cousin Vinny (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Santarctique (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out, always behind, 14th of 15, 42l behind Micheal Flips (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Spanish Cruise (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, 6th of 14, 6l behind Calaficial (11-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol in Mar.
Glenda Hoddle 40-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 37l behind Cresswell Ruby (10-10) at Exeter 2m 7f amt nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
