A watch the market race to round off proceedings so without reference to it, EARL GREZ is our stab in the dark with Kings Grey and Nelson's Chief respected. The selection was well fancied for a Wetherby bumper last season but disappointed greatly. Closely related to a number of winners in France, it could be worth taking the view that this was simply a bad day at the office. Kings Grey readily took a Huntingdon bumper in his stride. It is never easy to carry a penalty in these events so the market vibe will give us a clue as to how highly regarded he is at the Reveley stable. Nelson's Chief was backed off the boards before finishing down the field at Ffos Las. It would be folly to dismiss any Alan Swinbank runner off the back of one moderate performance. The Magic Bishop found things happening a little quickly at Bangor and could well appreciate this softer surface. Quacity hasn't been since failing to land favouritism in a Perth event in 2008. Murphy's Future probably was not intended as a jumps horse if the breeding is to be believed but George Foster can get them ready first time out and he is of serious interest in the market. A race for the video watchers rather than the punters and Earl Grez commands our attention.
Kings Grey (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Made all, ridden out inside final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan beating Mister Chancer (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Barr Head (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Ld til hdd 2out, sn not qckn, 4th of 11, 16l behind Simonsberg (12-0) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp in Mar.
Benefits Bill (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Rose Tanner.
Drumgray Terimon gelding out of Scandalous Affair.
Earl Grez (FR) 11-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, 10th of 13, well behind Caerlaverock (10-10) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Hawaii Klass 28-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 12, 30l behind Flaygray (11-4) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Hollows Gift (IRE) Darnay gelding out of Bellagrana.
Murphys Future Where Or When gelding out of Snaefell Heights.
Papamoa Terimon gelding out of Larksmore.
Quacity (FR) 11-4fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, led halfway, soon hung badly left and raced wide, headed over 4f out, soon beaten, 9th of 18, 32l behind Present Gesture (10-9) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) gd in Jun '08.
Running Riot (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, weakened over 6f out, 13th of 16, well behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
The Magic Bishop 9-4 (11-2) Held up, outpaced over 6f out, 8th of 10, 45l behind Fiveways (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Ballet D'anges (FR) Ange Gabriel gelding out of Balm.
Nelson's Chief 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place over 4f out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Soldier Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 1m 6f 3yo nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Psalm Twentythree Josr Algarhoud gelding out of Cadeau Speciale.
Zaru (FR) 5-2fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Bold Sir Brian (10-12) at Ayr 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Dec.
