tracked leader, ridden and effort 3 out, kept on under pressure from next
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, ridden to lead next, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next
in touch, steady headway after 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last
in rear, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
Richard Philips has been a profitable trainer to follow when he sends one up to Newcastle and he can strike again with Roaringwater, who had a legitimate excuse when flopping last time is given the benefit of the doubt today. Ambition Royal has been a little short of the mark against some potentially high-class individuals and will find this level much more to his liking. He can figure strongly along with Notaproblem, who makes his hurdles debut this afternoon. However, he will struggle to go with the selection if he is in the same frame of mind he was in when they met at Hexham last November and he might have to just use this as a learning curve today. Fair Spin also has claims if he runs up to the level of his penultimate start and is one to monitor in the betting. However, the fitting of a visor for the first time does sound a few alarm bells and others make more appeal. None more so than Roaringwater, who has been given plenty of time to get over whatever was troubling him last time and is expected to be a different proposition today.
Ambition Royal (FR) 8-1 Tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Faasel at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Feb.
Fair Spin 12-1 Tracked leaders until weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 31l behind Supreme Leisure at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Mandhoor (IRE) 33-1 fell in race won by Bogus Dreams at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs, 14 ran.
Notaproblem (IRE) 5-2jt-fav Held up in rear, headway halfway, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Treasured Memories at Ayr 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Roaringwater (IRE) 15-8 Took keen hold, prominent, ridden after 3 out, 4th and beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Blue Business at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Feb, 12 ran.
Saucy King 66-1 Held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression, 9th of 17, 38l behind Reel Missile at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd.
