led 2nd, made rest, clear from 7th, eased run-in
held up in rear, headway 7th, chased easy winner 3 out, no chance when hit last 2
held up in rear, ridden and mistake 6th, stayed on from 3 out but no danger
in touch, driven along before 5th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no danger
tracked leaders, chased winner 7th to 3 out, steadily weakened
led to 2nd, behind from 4th, soon tailed off
not always fluent, held up, headway and short lived effort before 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, hit 6th, weakened after next, tailed off when hit 2 out
prominent to 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Oscar Park is the one to beat in the opener, with Dearson, Knighton Lad and Vengeance clearly looking best of the others. A dual bumper winner, Oscar Park built on that when running out a good winner at Uttoxeter on his hurdling debut. He looks to have a future at this game and gets a solid vote. Dearson's Wincanton fifth last time gives him place claims at today's longer trip, while Knighton Lad, who was brought down on his hurdling debut, had earlier shown good promise in bumpers, so also has place claims. Vengeance, a 12-furlong winner on the Flat in 2004 from a mark of 90, is another to consider but the others cannot be given strong chances. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Oscar Park.
Oscar Park (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led going well 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct beating Smart Mover (10-12) by 6l, 16 ran.
Dearson (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led, blundered 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped right and headed last, no extra, 5th of 8, 2l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Knighton Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up, in touch when brought down at the 2nd in race won by Ungaro (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gd, 13 ran.
Men Of Destiny (IRE) 66-1 (9-13) In rear, not jump well, tailed off 5th, 12th of 17, well behind West End Wonder (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Jul.
Mountain Mayhem (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Bourbon Manhattan (10-12) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov '03.
Optimo (GER) 100-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, well behind Briareus (11-7) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Vengeance 10-1 (9-6) Raced in close 5th, pushed along over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Wunderwood (9-7) at Ascot 1m 2f stk (F) gf in Jul '04 (Flat).
Well Actually (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Held up, pushed along halfway, well behind final 4f, 15th of 17, well behind Karanja (11-3) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Duncanbil (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, 10th of 13, 48l behind Show No Fear (10-12) at Perth 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Sept '04.
