chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, one pace
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
led and raced keen, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous
always prominent, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well
mid-division, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, one pace from last
held up, headway approaching 2 out, one pace
towards rear, effort after 3 out, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
prominent, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra from last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Strobe, Fortunate Isle and Desert Destiny form the shortlist in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Strobe. The selection finished a fair fourth behind Los Nadis at Musselburgh last time and he had previously shaped well on his hurdling debut when second behind John Dillon. He looks to have been found a good opportunity here and with ground conditions to suit he can get his head in front. Fortunate Isle looks the main danger as he was a fair sort on the flat and with his yard in decent form he has to be of interest on his hurdling bow. A similar comment would apply to Desert Destiny but he hasn't been seen on the racecourse since October 2006 so he may be best watched on this occasion. Oswie was a little disappointing on his debut but this faster ground may see him in a better light. This looks a good opportunity for Strobe who gets the confident vote.
Bull Market (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up and raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 8, 6l behind Chord (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug (Flat).
Desert Destiny 9-2 (9-1) Chased leader until ridden 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 6l behind Kilworth (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (3) pol in Oct '06 (Flat).
Fortunate Isle (USA) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Modicum (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Grizebeck (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) In touch, led after 3f, ridden along over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Dart (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) fbs (Flat).
Indian Storm (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, hampered 1st, chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, well behind Watch My Back (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, driven along after 7th, soon weakened, last of 8, 47l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Oswie (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 29l behind Pakineo des Pictons (11-2) at Hexham 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 9-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 22l behind Keisha Kayleigh (8-8) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept (Flat).
Ticket To Freedom (NZ) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, no headway from 3 out, 11th of 18, 25l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Titinius (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 11, 41l behind Seeking Justice (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Zennerman (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Behind from halfway, 6th of 7, 24l behind Kabeer (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs (Flat).
Loch Awe 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Valentines Lady (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
Thornton Princess 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out and weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Noble Nova (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul '06 (Flat).
Treacle Moon 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, ridden next, no impression, 5th of 14, 10l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Strobe 7-2 (10-12) Led until headed 3rd, outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching last, one pace, 4th of 10, 21l behind Los Nadis (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Raven Rascal 100-1 (10-2) Held up behind, jumped slow 3rd, weakened from 4th and pulled up 4 out in race won by dhtrs Pertemps Networks (10-12) & Bantry Bere (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
