in rear, pushed along 2 out, never near leaders
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden 2 out, faded flat
prominent, ridden 2 out, every chance flat, ran on, just held
in touch, pushed along and weakened 2 out
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, 3 lengths down when blundered last, kept on one pace
made all, ridden and not fluent 2 out, joined flat, ran on, all out
in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, pushed along and headway 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden and weakened 2 out, hit last
towards rear, ridden 2 out, some late headway
This looks a very competitive opener. Bertie's Wish won a maiden at Sedgefield at the start of the month and Thunderclap, a three-times winner on the Flat, showed promise at Haydock. Clonakilty came good at Uttoxeter while Gardener made a promising start over timber here having a first run for new connections. But it would be no surprise if CUTHBERT DIBBLE reversed that latter form given he’s only four and will know more today. Red Dirt Road enjoyed a winning start to his career under Rules at Southwell and Mount Tempest was a winner over course and distance on his second run over hurdles and should have more to offer.
Bertie's Wish (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, jumped right at times, headway from 5th, went 2nd from after 3 out, soon hanging badly right, led last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Piecederesistance (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Clonakilty (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Always handy, mistake 5th, jumped right next, led before 2 out, clear last, readily, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Ballydisco (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Mount Tempest (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Jumped left, chased leader, ridden to lead before 2 out, hard pressed from last, stayed on, holding 2nd close home, won at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Georges Saint (11-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Red Dirt Road (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Prominent, led approaching 4 out, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, on top last, stayed on strongly flat, driven out, won at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Mrs Grimley (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Adamhill (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, shaken up and lost place before 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Mount Tempest (11-0) at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Concetto (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, some headway after 3 out, mistake last, never on terms, 5th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Theatre Man (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Cuthbert Dibble (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Not fluent, towards rear on outside, mistake 1st, closed after next, ridden 3 out, 3rd and held last, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Twinjets (11-4) at Leicester 2m mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Gardener (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Led 1st, not fluent 2 out, edged left before last, driven and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Twinjets (11-4) at Leicester 2m mdn (3) sft in Dec.
General Hubble (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 31l behind Twinjets (11-4) at Leicester 2m mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Hokelami (FR) 18-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, 3rd and no impression on front pair before last, kept on, 3rd of 14, 18 1/2l behind Clonakilty (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Lipa K (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leader, slow jump 2nd, mistake 3 out, pushed along and weakened quickly home turn, tailed off, 3rd of 4, dist behind Maggie Barrett (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
The Geordie Ginge (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd next until 3rd, slow 5th, outpaced after 3 out, looked well held when not fluent last, rallied final 100 yards, went 2nd last strides, just failed, 2nd of 4, shd behind Order Of St John (11-4) at Leicester 2m mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Thunderclap (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, always behind, 6th of 8, 22 3/4l behind Hullnback (11-2) at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Nov.
