led until ridden and headed well before 2 out and weakened quickly
chased leader until soon after 3 out, weakened quickly before next
chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mistake, always towards rear, held up 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leading trio, going ok after 3 out, tracking leading pair when hit 3 out, one pace in 3rd and no impression when hit last
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, kept on steadily from next, never in contention
mid-division on outside, pushed along approaching 2 out, no impression
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
chased leaders on inside, led well before 2 out, headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner, held up to hold 2nd
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, challenging for modest 4th when hit 2 out, one pace
held up in rear, well behind and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, ridden and wandered before last, in command when edged left flat, eased towards finish
always in rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
always in rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out
VINO GRIEGO is the suggestion in this competitive novices¿ hurdle, where Zazamix, Recif De Thaix and Broomhill Flyer should all be capable of making their presence felt. The selection won an Ascot bumper almost a year ago, and was perhaps a shade disappointing when returning over hurdles at that track in November. Despite that he came back strongly with a good effort to be six lengths adrift of the very useful Manyriverstocross in Grade 2 company at Sandown. With the yard still going well and improvement to come he will probably be tough to beat. Zazamix made a very pleasing debut over timber at Bangor last month and has to shoulder a penalty today. He looks almost certain to improve for that, so has to be short-list material. Recif De Thaix will enjoy conditions for this, his hurdles debut. He was in the process of making it back-to-back chase wins when falling at the last at Taunton in December, and although an unknown quantity in this sphere, it is a fair bet that he will have been well prepared and he clearly has ability. Broomhill Flyer won a Uttoxeter bumper on his only start, way back in November 2007. Connections clearly feel that he has been worth persevering with and they can ready one to win after an absence, so the market may be our best guide. Chosen Native is capable of improvement and will need to find it, while Mallusk will relish the ground and won¿t be stopping at the business end, but it is to Vino Griego whom we pledge our allegiance.
Mallusk (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) With leader, led 2 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Doctor Disny (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Zazamix (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led last, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Black Jack Blues (10-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
A Bid Too Far (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Like Minded (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Bampy's Last 100-1 (10-7) Weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 12, well behind Ocean Transit (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Broomhill Flyer (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 6f out, challenged going well 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov '07 beating Ballaroyale (10-11) by 2l, 14 ran.
Chosen Native (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Not fluent early, held up, always towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 33l behind Like Minded (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 17l behind Strategic Approach (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4yo+) (4) hvy in Dec.
Mr Straffan (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 6th 3 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 43l behind Liberty Counsel (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf in Sep.
Recif De Thaix (FR) Evensfav (10-13) Led, ridden after 2 out, 1 length clear, under pressure when fell last, in a race won by Pocket Aces (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Robain (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened well before 2 out, 9th of 14, 19l behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 14l behind Johnny Mullen (10-9) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Vino Griego (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Manyriverstocross (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
A Haon A Do (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Princess Of Moscow (IRE) Ashley Park mare out of Dark Princess.
