mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, weakened quickly
led, hit and headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 2 out, driven out
chased leaders to 5th, behind when mistake 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, not quicken flat
pulled hard in rear, tailed off when mistake 2 out
towards rear, headway 4th, soon ridden, weakened 5th, behind when jumped slowly 2 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up and keen, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
Mith Hill, Lindbergh Law and Vaughan are three against the field in this competitive opener and the vote is given to Mith Hill. The selection was a fair fourth behind the highly regarded Talac last time out. He is sure to have learnt from the experience and given nominal improvement he will be hard to beat. Lindbergh Law rates the main danger as he won a bumper in good style last time out when beating Melrose. He is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling debut and he should be monitored in the market. Vaughan is another that could go well as he was a fair second behind Neveesou on his debut and he is sure to improve. Traprain was second on his debut behind Princelet and that form has since been franked so he is another with place claims. Of the remainder, Dark Parade ran well on his debut but has since disappointed so he can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Mith Hill.
Dark Parade (ARG) 3-1 (11-4) Keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake and weakened 2 out, 9th of 15, 41l behind Tarlac (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Muntami (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Mith Hill 10-1 (11-4) In touch, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on between last 2, 4th of 15, 18l behind Tarlac (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Pagan Sky (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov (Flat).
Vaughan 7-2 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and headway to challenge 2 out, not quicken from last, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Traprain (IRE) 2-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, stayed on to chase winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Princelet (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Hibernian (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 14, 12l behind The Cool Guy (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Lindbergh Law (USA) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, took closer order 7f out, ridden to lead over 3f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Jun beating Melrose (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.