mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra from last
tracked leaders, led after 7th, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, stayed on well from last, ridden out
led, mistake 7th, soon headed, ridden after 3 out, weaknened before next
mid-division until weakned 3 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway from 7th, went 3rd and chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division until weakened 3 out
held up, some headway 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders until weakened approaching 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, 6th and beaten when fell 2 out
The weaker of the two divisions of this staying novices' contest and Oniphlaure looks capable of defying a penalty to follow up his Warwick win, while Quarry Town has a chance and Carlyon Bay is respected on debut. Oniphlaure represents in form Alan King and won a maiden hurdle at Warwick on soft ground last time. This slight step up in trip should be in his favour and first-time hoods have been applied here to help him concentrate on giving weight and a beating to all but one of his rivals. Quarry Town is also penalised for a Ludlow success on good ground in November. This trip suits and he does act with cut, but again he comes from the Hen Knight yard whose runners are just a bit below par now so he is opposed. Carlyon Bay debuts for Paul Nicholls and is related to Senor El Betrutti on his dam's side, so his future may well lay over fences at this sort of trip, but he is also likely to wound up well enough to put in a good run here. Cullahill made a pleasing enough performance in defeat at Plumpton last time and can come on for that, so he could be best of the rest, but Oniphlaure is the one for us.
Oniphlaure (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Freddies Return (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Quarry Town (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, led last, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Mealagh Valley (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Benedict Bay 7-1 (10-1) Hit 6th, always behind, 6th of 12, 35l behind Georges Boy (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Carlyon Bay (IRE) Dushyantor gelding out of Bramblehill Dream.
Cullahill (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort 8th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 14l behind The Apprentice (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Different Lot (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 24l behind Or Bleu (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gf in May.
Garleton (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind King Caine (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Indian Doctor 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division until weakened after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Presentandcorrect (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 14 ran.
Judgement of Error (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Millbrook Meadow 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 6th, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Shake The Barley (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, well behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Gulf (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Missed break, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 23l behind Shirocco (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in May '06 (Flat).
