in touch, mistake 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, led 7th, challenged from 3 out, headed 2nd last, not much room and stumbled before last, no extra
held up mid-division, slow 3rd, headway after 5th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance next, driven to lead 2 out, soon clear, ran on well
held up in touch, hampered 4th, lost place 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
slow 1st, soon behind, struggling after 3rd, behind when pulled up before 7th
led, not fluent 6th, headed next, slow 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered 4th, under pressure 4 out, soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
always towards rear, detached after 5th, soon tailed off
mid-division, hampered 4th, headway when hit 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace from next
prominent and raced wide, not fluent 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 4th
behind and under pressure before 3rd, pulled up after next
Morning Farewell gets the vote in the opener from Speedy Directa and Hernando Royal but there are two or three others that could make their presence felt. A rare runner over hurdles for Peter Chapple-Hyam, Morning Farewell hurdled fluently at Plumpton before tiring in the soft ground. The quicker conditions and that experience should aid his cause although there are doubts about his stamina. Stamina may be less of an issue for Speedy Directa given that he won over a mile six on the Flat; he ran third behind a promising prospect at Musselburgh last time and looks sure to go close today. Hernando Royal can be expected to improve on his Uttoxeter debut and he is also feared whilst Blinded Bythelight beat a decent yardstick in a Towcester bumper, thus entitling him to respect on his hurdling bow. Royal Arms and Zaif are two others that are worth more than a cursory glance but the vote in an intriguing opener goes the way of Morning Farewell.
Blinded Bythelight (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Made virtually all, challenged from 2 out, kept on well, all out, won at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec beating Cadoudalas (11-0) by a nk, 10 ran.
Hernando Royal 7-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 15, 18l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
La Estrella (USA) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened from 8th, 9th of 14, 25l behind All Noble (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Major Upset (IRE) 22-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 6f out, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Piper Hayes (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, good headway 4 out, every chance next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 21l behind What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Silver Ring 100-1 (10-9) Soon behind, tailed off halfway, last of 12, well behind Alderluck (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft.
Southburgh (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Led, hit 3 out, soon headed, weakening when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Run To Me (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Speedy Directa (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden, headed 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Kalahari King (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Wee Alfie (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never on terms, 2nd of 6, 21l behind Sumdancer (11-0) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Zaif (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on from 2f out, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct (Flat).
Classic Hall (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Swordsman (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Wordy's Girl 66-1 (10-7) Mainly towards rear, 9th of 10, well behind Lavender Track (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Royal Arms 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 13, 33l behind Openditch (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec '06.
Morning Farewell 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, closer order 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace last, 4th of 12, 13l behind Sweetheart (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
