led to after 5th, led before 6th to approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on well from last but not pace of winner
chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, weakened approaching 6th, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway after 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, driven out and ran on gamely from last
held up in mid-division, weakened before 8th, pulled up approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway and ridden after 3 out, kept on well from 2 out
in touch, ridden after 8th, soon weakened
prominent, led briefly after 5th, led approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, third and held when fell last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
soon behind, reminder 3rd, held on
prominent, mistake 2nd, behind 8th, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Kings Castle Down's Folly and Igloo D'estruval and the vote is given to King's Castle. The selection won a seller with plenty in hand last time out and although this is more competitive he remains on a fair mark and with the race sure to be run to suit he looks the value bet in an open affair. Down's Folly rates the main danger as he also won well last time when beating Cockatoo Ridge but he has yet to win over a trip this far and he looks opposable on that basis. Igloo D'estruval has conditions to suit and is another with place claims but he looks high enough in the weights and he often finds less than expected off the bridle and for that reason he is opposed. The Luder hails from a yard in top form and could go well at a price now that he is stepped up in trip so he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Greenfield could run well at a price despite top weight but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to King's Castle.
Derivative (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Prominent and not fluent, lost place 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 17 ran.
Saltango (GER) 7-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 17l behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Supreme Piper (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Led to 5th, led 7th to 8th, weakened 3 out, eased once beaten, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Igloo D'estruval (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place after 10th, rallied approaching 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov '04 beating Called To The Bar (10-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Down's Folly (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Mid-division, good headway after 6th to lead 3 out, soon ridden, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Cockatoo Ridge (10-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
The Luder (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, ridden after 2 out, pecked last, kept on but wandered under pressure run-in, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Fourboystoy (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Nayodabayo (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Kings Castle (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs beating Ocean Of Storms (10-10) by 5l, 11 ran.
Cousin Nicky 100-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, losing place when hit 5th, 11th of 15, 27l behind Pirate Flagship (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Cockatoo Ridge 100-1 (10-7) Led until 6th, pressed leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, rallied gamely run-in, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Burren Moonshine (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 4 out, soon behind, 14th of 18, well behind Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec.
Siyaran (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 42l behind Refinement (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Manawanui 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders until 4th, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by First De La Brunie (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs (4) sft, 12 ran.
Greenfield (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Hit 1st, chased leaders, weakened under pressure after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
