held up mid-division, pulled up before 2nd, saddle slipped
held up, headway 5th, ridden and one pace
led, mistake and headed 3 out, held when mistake 2 out
in touch, left in lead 3 out, soon headed, rallied briefly 2 out
mistake 2nd, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th
held up, effort 4 out, soon beaten
held up, steady headway 5th, led 2 out, mistake last, kept on
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
It will be interesting to see how Zirkel performs on his first start over hurdles and his first outing for Alan King but preference is for the proven hurdling form of Charm Indeed, who gets the verdict with Dante's Diamond rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has largely disappointed so far but Nicky Henderson's gelding encounters fast ground for the first time today and that may just make all the difference so he may be worth chancing. Sayago made a promising return at Plumpton when last seen and would have claims, with the Charlie Mann yard back among the winners. Giles Bravery's Astorygoeswithit could be of interest on his hurdling debut but was only moderate on the level so is probably best watched. Croon showed enough last season to suggest that he should win races and he has to be respected along with Richard Lee's Dante's Diamond, who is an interesting newcomer to the winter game. Charm Indeed could be of interest on this surface though and a chance is taken with Nicky Henderson's runner.
Astorygoeswithit 66-1 (8-6) Chased leaders over 4f, 10th of 16, 9l behind For Life (8-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul (Flat).
Basiliko (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Went left start, led, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, last of 11, 37l behind Gower Song (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun '06 (Flat).
Charm Indeed 40-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in rear, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lindop (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar, 17 ran.
Croon 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 46l behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Dante's Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Behind and jumped left, swerved badly left and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Vocative (10-0) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Nov '05, 15 ran.
Finnegans Rainbow 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, fell 3rd fell at the 3rd in race won by Shamrock Bay (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Mine The Balance (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) brought down in race won by Phone In (10-7) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Salvestro 28-1 (11-1) In touch and keen, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, well behind Ta An Athas Orm (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Sayago (GER) 8-1 (11-2) Held up and raced wide, kept on towards finish, 6th of 12, 20l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Top Gear 16-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 13, 18l behind Hot Zone (11-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Zirkel (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Tracked leader to over 7f out, chased leading pair until 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 4l behind Muraco (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Lillie Lou 40-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden and lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cape Greko (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept, 11 ran.
Velvet Blu 4-1co-fav (10-4) Mid-division, headway 5th, in touch when brought down 4 out in race won by Ready Response (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr, 12 ran.
