hampered 1st, hit 2nd, tailed off from 4th
left in lead after 1st, carried wide and headed on bend after 4th, prominent, led after 3 out, soon ridden, hit last, kept on
led until went badly left and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, went badly left and unseated rider 1st
went left, blundered badly and unseated rider 1st
in touch, chased leaders after 2nd, led after 4th, ridden, headed and soon beaten after 3 out
hampered 1st, tailed off from 4th
hampered 1st, soon chasing winner, went prominent after 4th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
The Castilian gets the confident vote in the opener with Strathtay and Southern Shore rated as the main dangers. The selection was disappointing over this course and distance last time when a beaten odds-on favourite behind Dream Along. He looked far from straightforward that day but he had previously run well here when second behind Election Seeker and in this weaker contest he is given another chance. Strathtay rates the main danger as she would have won on her hurdling debut had she not fallen when travelling well. She didn't travel anywhere near as well last time when fourth and well-beaten at Stratford but she hails from a yard that merits plenty of respect and she is worth noting in the market. Southern Shore is lightly-raced and he was winner on the level last time at Chepstow. He is nothing special but if he takes to hurdling he would have an obvious chance this afternoon. Josear is another who has shown a fair level of form on the flat so he is worth noting in the market. However, for the winner we will stick with The Castilian.
Darko Karim 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon behind, 8th of 9, 30l behind Sharp Reply (9-7) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun (Flat).
Gortumblo 16-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Election Seeker (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (D) gf, 10 ran.
Josear 11-4jt-fav (9-1) Led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, faded final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Satin Rose (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo sll hcp (6) gf in Jun (Flat).
Mount Arafat 66-1 (8-5) Always behind, tailed off final 5f, 7th of 9, 29l behind Loop The Loup (9-13) at Chepstow 2m clm (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
Southern Shore (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Made all, ridden along over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo sll hcp (6) gf beating Cois Na Tine Eile (8-10) by 2l, 9 ran (Flat).
Spence Appeal (IRE) 9-4 (8-11) Keen, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Eminence Gift (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gd (Flat).
The Castilian (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Led, slipped on bend, driven and reluctant approaching 3 out, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Dream Along (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (D) gf.
Strathtay 2-1fav (10-5) Held up, headway 5th, soon ridden, no impression when jumped right 3 out, 4th of 14, well behind Fair Along (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Jul.
