took keen hold, prominent, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
always behind, tailed off from 3rd
held up, headway to go prominent 3 out, one pace from next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened approaching next
led from 2nd and raced keen, headed after 3 out, in 3rd and held when fell 2 out
close up, jumped right 1st, led approaching 2 out, ran on strongly
always behind, tailed off from 3rd, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
close up, not fluent 3rd, effort approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression
led to 2nd, remained close up until weakened after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
The equation looks fairly simple here. If Percussionist jumps round he wins, and it should be left to Hollywood Critic, Datbandito and Oddsmaker to fight out the minors. The selection is obvious, and given his undoubted ability on the level, which has seen him reach a peak of 118, he can make mincemeat of them, even over a trip that probably won't see him at his best. Hollywood Critic's form here with Darasim last time is not to be sniffed at, and he could again go well, though the bottomless ground won't be to his liking. Datbandito showed a modicum of form in bumpers, and then fell at the first on his hurdling debut. Provided he is over that, he can go well for Len Lungo, though again the ground is a bit of a concern. Of the remainder, Oddsmaker likes to get his toe in, and although thrashed by the promising Rasharrow last time, his previous run behind L'Antartique marks him out as the probable one for the forecast here. But Percussionist has plenty of class and can use it to win this.
Brora Sutherland (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 32l behind Rasharrow (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Datbandito (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Behind when fell in race won by Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft, 17 ran.
Dolans Bay (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a 2m claiming hurdle winner.
Hollywood Critic (USA) 100-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, led next, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Darasim (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders and not fluent, hampered 2nd, every chance approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, left 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 17, 20l behind Rasharrow (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) sft.
Percussionist (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 17, well behind Westerner (9-2) at York 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun (Flat).
Witch Wind 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon lost place, 19th of 22, well behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Rainha 4-5fav (12-0) won at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Apr '04 beating Peppernick (12-5) by a nk, 6 ran.
