in touch, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on
held up rear, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, quickened up and led after 4th, headed and weakened 6th
keen, in touch, headway to chase leader 5th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, faded
in rear, headway on inside after 4th, mistake and weakened 3 out, mid-division, headway 5th, ridden when mistake 2 out, narrow leader last, hung left and headed flat
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden when mistake 2 out, narrow leader approaching last, hung left and headed
led 2nd, headed after 4th and weakened quickly
always in rear, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway
in rear, rider lost whip 2nd, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 2nd, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, led and mistake 2 out, headed last, rallied and led close home
tracked leaders, every chance when mistake 2 out, hung left and weakened approaching last
mid-division until weakened 6th
There are plenty to have a look at here, including Tom Bell, West End Wonder, Man Ray, Archduke Ferdinand, Rimsky and Twelve Paces, but the vote goes to Desert Quest. Theocritus is a solid 90 performer, but the question is will it be good enough? Tom Bell betters that on form and, although a little disappointing at Market Rasen last time, this track will play more to his strengths and he can go well. Having looked an improved performer when scoring at Worcester last time, West End Wonder must be considered, while the 2001 Northumberland Plate winner Archduke Ferdinand is a very interesting recruit to hurdling. Before The Mast looked very promising in 2002/2003 before injuries took their toll and he now has an absence to defy. The mid-90s rated Paul Nicholls runner, Desert Quest, has an eyecatching profile and we expect a big run on his hurdling debut, while Ganymede has shown mid-70s Flat form without winning, and Mount Benger has won over 12 furlongs from a mark of 60. Glide is another to have shown Flat promise, while the Jonjo O'Neill-trained French winner, Man Ray, is of obvious interest from that powerful yard. Rimsky won his bumper before finishing eighth at Aintree's Grand National meeting, which affords him plenty of respect, while Martin Pipe's Twelve Paces, a half-brother to Crocadee. won his bumper well last year and, even though it was a five-runner affair at Newton Abbot, he is still respected. It all adds up to an interesting race, with the vote just going to Desert Quest.
Theocritus (GER) 10-3 (11-3) Held up, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Fire Ranger (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gf in Aug.
Tom Bell (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Led, stumbled 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden, no impression when mistake last, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Lago d'Oro (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
West End Wonder (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 6th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Jul beating Openide (11-2) by 8l, 17 ran.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, always behind, weakened 2f out, eased and tailed off, last of 13, well behind Michabo (9-3) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun (Flat).
Before The Mast (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Pulled hard in rear, headway approaching 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out, poor 3rd when blundered next, 3rd of 11, well behind King Solomon (10-9) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (D) gs in Dec '03.
Desert Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway when not much room over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 20, 10l behind Imperial Stride (8-11) at York 1m 2f lst hcp (1) gf in Jun (Flat).
Freeline Fantasy (IRE) 7-4fav (12-0) won at Bonvilston 3m ptp gs in May beating Wiston Wizo (12-0) by 11l, 13 ran.
Ganymede 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 6th, improved into 4th 5f out, ridden 3f out, 5th and no extra 2f out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Pepperwood (9-2) at Galway 1m 6f stk gf in Jul (Flat).
Glide 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold and prominent, chased leader 4th, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 38l behind Natal (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in May.
Limogos (GER) Roi Danzig gelding, half-brother to several winners including useful hurdler/chaser Limerick Boy.
Man Ray (USA) 4-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 5th, hampered 3 out, kept on from 2 out without being dangerous, 4th of 12, 13l behind Prato (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) sft in Mar.
Mount Benger 20-1 (9-4) Always behind, 15th of 16, 22l behind Pella (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Rimsky (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered and lost place after 5f, stayed on final 2f, not trouble leaders, 8th of 22, 7l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Twelve Paces 11-4 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gf in Jul beating Silver Sister (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Davy's Luck 40-1 (10-5) Mistakes, always towards rear, 10th of 13, well behind Dr Cerullo (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Moorlands Milly 25-1 (10-0) Always behind, 4th of 8, well behind Cantgeton (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Sept.
