in rear, behind 3rd, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
disputing lead when very slow 1st, led 5th, pecked 2 out, headed before last, no extra
led after 1st until after next, led 4th, headed 5th, weakened before last
disputing lead when very slow 1st, prominent, led after 2nd, edged right and headed 4th, led before last, headed at hurdle, led towards finish, headed close home
mistakes in rear, behind 3 out, pulled up before last
not much room when not fluent 1st, mid-division, not fluent 3rd or 5th, slow 3 out, headway after 2 out, mistake and led last, soon headed, stayed on, led again close home
held up, hampered 1st, closed 3rd, challenged last, soon led, headed towards finish, 3rd and held close home
held up, headway 3rd, lost place 5th, went 4th and stayed on from last, no impression
led early, tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
Mauricio was the highest rated of these on the Flat and was an impressive winner of a Roscommon maiden last month, so should be able to take this for his in-form trainer. The main threat is likely to come from former Michael Bell three-year-old The Raven Master, who is sure to be well-prepared for his hurdles debut, and Lucky Esteem showed some promise as a two-year-old for Mark Johnston and is also of interest. Taxmeifyoucan has shown plenty of stamina and is a decent each-way prospect. Kenyan was ordinary on the Flat while the well-bred Bab El Mandeb is best watched on his racecourse debut.
Bab El Mandeb (USA) Blame gelding out of April Pride.
Kenyan (FR) 8-1 (8-8) Steadied and slightly hampered start, took keen hold in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, modest 5th inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Conkering Hero (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Mauricio (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, comfortably, won at Roscommon 1m 2f mdn sft in Jun beating Machine Head (9-1) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Phoenix Dawn 11-2 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 10 1/4l behind Kilowatt (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Piccoloro 100-1 (9-5) Always behind, 8th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Mukalal (9-5) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (6) pol in May.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Montanna (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jun.
The Raven Master (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Led, ridden when short of room over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Reinstorm (8-9) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Yorkshire Star (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Raced wide prominent, weakened over 1f out, tailed off, last of 14, 26 1/2l behind Wily Rumpus (9-3) at Leicester 7f (6) gd in Oct.
Lucky Esteem 5-1 (9-7) Led early, tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Springwood (9-7) at Newcastle 7f (5) pol in Aug.
