chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased winner, weakened after 5th
mid-division, blundered 4th, soon behind
chased leaders, in 5th and beat when hampered 2 out
held up, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression
made all, clear when mistkae 2 out, heavily eased towards finish
soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
held up, headway 5th, one pace and beat in 4th when stumbled badly and unseated rider 2 out
always behind
behind, good headway 5th, one pace from 2 out
Always Esteemed can give in-form trainer Kevin Ryan another winner, with Western Roots, Thesaurus and Smart Boy Prince all seen as potential dangers. Although the Ryan yard is concentrating its efforts on the Flat with success at present, the fact that Always Esteemed lines up here should be noted. He has not managed to add to his two victories for Geoff Wragg since changing stables, the problem being his high handicap mark. Therefore he has been difficult to place on the Flat, so it is hoped that the switch to hurdling will bring out his undoubted ability, and he is taken to go in first time under Timmy Murphy. Western Roots finished third over the course and distance on his timber bow, but it remains to be seen whether he truly stays the trip, while Thesaurus has done the rounds with various trainers and was rated well below the selection on the level. Smart Boy Prince looks best of the rest but is already starting to appear exposed, and for the winner we return to Always Esteemed.
Always Esteemed (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never a factor, last of 9, 38l behind Ski Jump (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jul (Flat).
Thesaurus 20-1 (9-11) Towards rear, soon driven along, some late headway, never near to challenge, 5th of 14, 13l behind Sky Dome (9-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (F) fbs in Nov '03 (Flat).
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Raced in mid-division, ridden on outer over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 6l behind Captain Cloudy (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp (6) gf (Flat).
Rarefied (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, lost place over 2f out, 15th of 17, 15l behind Paparaazi (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) gd (Flat).
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Led until 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Crathorne (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Western Roots 8-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Dewasentah (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
Glowing Ember 14-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, weakened after last, 8th of 14, 14l behind Be Wise Girl (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (E) gd in Mar.
Oscar's Lady (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 25l behind Acushnet (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gd in Jul.
