mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along and every chance when hit 2 out, weakened run-in
waited with in last pair, smooth headway approaching 3 out, travelling well before next, quickened to lead approaching last, ridden out
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and slightly outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied next, went 2nd at the last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
mid-division and keen, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd at the last, one pace run-in
always behind, never on terms
chased leaders, led before 3 out until approaching the last, weakened run-in
mid-division out wide, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, never dangerous after, plugged on past beaten horses run-in
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened quickly before next, behind and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2, mistake last
held up in rear, headway on inside before the last, kept on run-in, nearest finish
led until headed before 3 out, weakened quickly
Another race in which the J P McManus colours could be to the fore with Nico de Boinville riding Champagne Platinum in preference to Rathhill and Colonial Dreams. Amour de Nuit bounced back from a lay-off to win at Plumpton but neither of the placed horses have franked the form. TEA CLIPPER (NAP) beat Flash The Steel in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month. The runner-up is 3lb better off but Tom Lacey’s improving five-year-old appeared to have the proverbial ton in hand and is fancied to keep up his impressive strike-rate. On The Wild Side has won a couple of novice events at Hexham this term but may be a few pounds too high on his handicap debut. Hang In There might do better on this quicker surface and is preferred to Christopher Wood of the remainder.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Mint Condition (10-3) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Midfield, headway to track leaders 6th, upsides 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden after last, led approaching bypassed final flight, ran on strongly close home, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct beating Flash The Steel (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Flash The Steel (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, towards rear when fell 5th, at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders out wide, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, shaken up and kept on well run-in, bit in hand and always doing enough, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Buckhorn George (10-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Champagne Platinum (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, tracked leaders 3 out, one pace next, soon ridden, no impression before last, 7th of 23, 11 1/4l behind Milan Native (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Colonial Dreams (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Cervaro Mix (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Hang In There (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway before next, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Kid Commando (11-4) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
Rathhill (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, well beaten 2 out, 17th of 24, 25 3/4l behind Saint Roi (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Lord Lamington 40-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Stimulating Song (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
On The Wild Side (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Led narrowly, increased tempo 2 out, pushed clear last, ran on, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Blazing Port (10-12) by 6 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jacamar (GER) 15-8 (10-7) Keen in midfield, close up approaching 3 out, pressed leader when hit 2 out, faded before last, 4th of 6, 17 1/4l behind West To The Bridge (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Howling Milan (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) In rear, tailed off before 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Gumball (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) sft in Oct.
