with leaders, jumped right 2nd, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, headway approaching 5th, weakened 3 out
led to 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, mistake when weakening 4 out
held up behind, pushed along after 4th, weakened 4 out
in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on to go 3rd after last, no chance with front pair
in touch, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, easily
A tight race gets proceedings underway and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Stradbrook, Folie Dancer and Rightway Star and the vote is given to Stradbrook. The selection was slightly disappointing behind Oh Pickles last time out but he looks sure to be suited by this slightly better ground and he looks the one to be on. Folie Dancer rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind County Zen but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time and he is taken on with this in mind. Rightway Star is another worthy of respect on his latest second behind Quicuyo but he looks vulnerable giving weight away to all his rivals.Master Overseer won a bumper in good style last season but was disappointing on his hurdling debut. However his stable are in better form now and he should be watched in the market. Of the others Double Shot has ran with promise in the past but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we are happy to return to Stradbrook.
Rightway Star (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, chased winner after last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Quicuyo (11-5) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) hvy.
Double Shot 100-1 (11-0) In touch until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind County Zen (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy.
Fernandina (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, one pace from over 3f out, 5th of 15, 13l behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf.
Hemington 200-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden and 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf, 14 ran.
Master Overseer (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, reminders 5th, behind from next, 14th of 16, well behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Oh Braga (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Not fluent 5th, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 22l behind Calgary Bay (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd.
Sailor's Sovereign 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 30l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Stradbrook (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 14, 34l behind Oh Pickles (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Folie Dancer 20-1 (10-7) Held up, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 7l behind County Zen (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy.