led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, headway on outside 10f out, weakened 5f out
towards rear, headway halfway, soon ridden and weakened over 3f out
keen, tracking leaders, weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off
in touch and keen, lost place halfway, slightly hampered over 5f out, plugged on under pressure
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, smooth headway 4f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, impressive
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 5f out, soon tailed off
towards rear, effort 5f out, mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
towards raer, headway on outside 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This has the look of a decent race so it won't be easy for Blencathra Bay to defy his penalty but he still gets our vote; King Fontaine and Cape Tribulation are two of the more obvious alternatives. The selection finished second to a subsequent dual winner over hurdles on debut before running on strongly to win over course and distance in December. He stepped up on that form when chasing home Voice Of Reason in the Listed bumper at Warwick where he had Champion Bumper fourth, Shoreacres, 11 lengths back in third. It will take a useful one to beat him. Cape Tribulation is also penalised having justified market confidence in good style at Market Rasen. He may not have beaten very much but he's held in high regard and scored impressively; he must be feared. King Fontaine made a promising debut in what appeared to be a fairly warm Sandown contest and his chance must be respected following that performance. Rock Salmon rates a mention and the market should guide to the newcomers but Blencathra Bay sets the standard and gets the vote.
Blencathra Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Led, pushed along from 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed well insdie final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Voice of Reason (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Canyouseeme Emperor Fountain gelding, brother to winning hurdler/bumper Lorgnette, half-brother to winning hurdler Sword Lady.
Catch The Wing (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of an unraced mare.
Costa Courta (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, driven and headway on outside over 5f out, every chance over 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Beau Michel (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in May '06.
Howzat Harry 100-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders until lost place 3f out, 7th of 11, 22l behind The Bonus Ball (10-7) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Feb.
King Fontaine (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Raced green, held up, ridden and steady progress from over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Cockney Trucker (11-2) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Little George (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Always prominent, led halfway, headed over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Nulato (11-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Cape Tribulation 9-4jt-fav (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd beating Border Reiver (10-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
Flirty Babe 66-1 (10-11) Took keen hold in touch, dropped out halfway, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Nulato (11-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Silver Missile Silver Patriarch mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Sky Calling 8-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on from 2f out, 4th of 13, 10l behind Dee Ee Williams (10-11) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Bertenbar Bertolini gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Muhtenbar.
Laureate des Loges (FR) Marathon filly out of The Paradis.
Job Two (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened 5f out, 10th of 15, 40l behind Vacario (10-9) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Rock Salmon 66-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind The Big Orse (10-13) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
