held up, headway 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
made all, drew well clear from 3 out, unchallenged
mid-division until 5th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader until after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
mid-division until 6th, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered 6th, chased winner after 3 out, never any chance, kept on for clear 2nd
always behind, tailed off
in touch until weakened after 6th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 6th, went modest 4th after 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, chased winner 6th until after 3 out, soon no chance
in touch, not fluent 6th, soon ridden and weakened
Not too many for the shortlist and it is QOZAK who gets the confident vote over stablemate Nictory Vote, Sona Sasta and Acapulco Bay. The selection was a warm order for his hurdling debut at Newbury but was reeled in late on by Cracboumwiz. That horse has franked the form by running well in defeat since and sure to have learnt plenty from that run, this exciting recruit from France can get off the mark. Acapulco Bay has more experience than most in the line-up but he only has one win to his name; he returns from an absence this afternoon but we do know that he has a certain level of ability. Nictory Vote is a youngster who makes his UK debut this afternoon. Recruited from France after some promising efforts, including in a Listed contest latest, this well-related sort must be watched in the betting, especially in relation to his stablemate Qozak. David Pipe has a few in the line-up and the market may help guide as to which represents his best chance; on paper that would be Sona Sasta who is a former point-to-point winner and he should improve on his recent debut under rules at Taunton after a period off. At a price Walamo may be one to belie his odds; Tim Vaughan's gelding is yet to win in six starts all told but there have been glimpses of promise in two hurdles runs to date. Qualified after this run for handicaps however, if connections hope to start on a fair mark, he may not want to get too close to the winner who we feel could be Qozak.
Acapulco Bay 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd, headway after 5th, ridden after next, every chance after 3 out, beaten approaching 2 out, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sister Agnes (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Maille Abaa (FR) (8-11) Held up in rear, closed up on inside final turn, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Lamborgino (8-11) at Lyon Parilly 1m 3f stk in Oct '06 (Flat).
Qozak (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led and went left flat, driven last, headed last stride, 2nd of 21, shd behind Cracboumwiz (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Something Inside (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 5th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, no impression, 11th of 14, well behind Chariot Charger (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
The Flying Phenom 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 15, 17l behind El Zorro (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan '08.
Walamo (GER) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 27l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Champagne Floozie 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, one pace, 7th of 16, 18l behind Lavender Track (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (4) gs in Dec '07.
Sally Army 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, ridden and weakened 5th, 14th of 18, well behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Sweet Optomist 66-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden after 7th, effort approaching 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 11, 16l behind Shenanigan (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Monsieur Cadou (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always rear division, 11th of 18, 20l behind Zazamix (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Afram Blue (8-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Top Ticket (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Led, headed 9f out, stayed prominent until weakened over 2f out, 8th of 16, 10l behind Spirit of Adjisa (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
Nictory Vote (FR) (10-8) Prominent, every chance, one pace run-in, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Overlord (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f lst hcp hdl hvy in Nov.
