always in rear division, struggling 3 out, tailed off
led until ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, hit last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, led on inside 2 out, in command approaching last, well clear when faltered near finish
hitt 1st, held up, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, one pace flat
hit 2nd and 5th, always rear division
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on to take 3rd near finish
always behind, struggling 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, hit 3 out, soon ridden and struggling
raced wide in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when blundered 2 out, rallied under pressure run-in, went second near finish, no chance with winner
always behind, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened soon after
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always in rear, ridden and struggling when hit 3 out
in touch on inside, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after next
Some fair horses have won this race in the past and we will side with COPPER BLEU ahead of Riverside Theatre and China Gold. With the benefit of one run over hurdles under his belt, Phillip Hobbs' Pistolet Bleu gelding is fancied to appreciate the drop in trip today. The form of his run behind Massasoit looks solid and although he was beaten by a fair distance, better is expected this afternoon. Hurdling debutantes Riverside Theatre and China Gold bring some good bumper form to the table but each has shaped as if a sterner test of stamina will suit, whilst Ikorodu Road ran so well on debut behind Bakbenscher. That form looks solid and there are unlikely to be any fancy prices about him today despite his unfashionable yard. Captain Americo was only beaten by two lengths on his hurdling debut a year ago behind Arkle fancy Imsingingtheblues, Green Belt Elite represents a stable going well, whilst at a price Simply Blue could run well after a good hurdling bow at Wincanton. A fascinating event, with preference for Copper Bleu.
Back Is Back (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and hit 2 out, soon headed, kept on one pace after, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Darstardly Dick (10-9) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Beyond Redemption (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct, 16 ran.
Captain Americo (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, jumped badly right last, hung right but kept on flat, 3rd of 14, 3l behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '07.
China Gold 4-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair 2f out until lost place towards finish, 4th of 13, 7l behind Cloudy Times (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) sft in Oct.
Copper Bleu (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, mistake 4 out, blundered 2 out when weakening, 3rd of 16, 31l behind Massasoit (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Fassaroe 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Held up in touch, chased winner 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Green Belt Elite (FR) 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Fistral Beach (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Apr.
Ikorodu Road 100-1 (10-12) Always prominent, edged left and led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, ran on flat, 2nd of 16, hd behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
King Neptune 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on steadily, never dangerous, 4th of 14, 11l behind Appleaday (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec '06.
Mr Logistics (IRE) Simply Great gelding out of Midnight Light.
Riverside Theatre 11-10fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, headway from 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gd beating Abbevillian (11-0) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Sheeian Rock (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, no impression, 10th of 12, well behind Express Leader (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft.
Simply Blue 14-1 (10-12) Led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Keki Buku (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Time For Rupert (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, every chance 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 8th of 19, 9l behind Bensalem (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (4) sft.
Wardington Lad 66-1 (11-4) Always in rear, lost touch well before 6th, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Carrick Oscar (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb '07.
Whatdoyousay 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 6th, soon clear, easily, won at Tinahely 3m Ir pt-to-pt gd-sft in Oct beating Carragher (11-7) by 15l, 8 ran.
Altolusso (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 33l behind Express Leader (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) sft.
Bennett (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
