led, ridden after 2 out, headed last, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened last
chased leaders, lost place approaching 3rd, blundered 2 out, tailed up when pulled up before last
held up and raced wide, lost place after 4 out
held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out
held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led on bit last, drew clear flat, easily
Yet another very good race on a very good card of racing at Haydock, in which the vote goes to Amaretto Rose ahead of Astarador and Mount Sandel. Quite simply, Amaretto Rose was so impressive when scoring on her seasonal return at Ascot, in the process looking like a horse to follow. She gets the vote. Astarador sets a good benchmark to the level of form in the race, though, as evidenced by his very good third to leading novice Silverburn in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last time. Among the other runners are Leslingtaylor, who has done little wrong in two winning starts over hurdles, Donald McCain's course and distance winner Mohayer, who will love the going, and Mount Sandel, who has shown solid enough form. Overall, though, we will stick with Amaretto Rose.
Astarador (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, led after 2nd, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Silverburn (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Always prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, smooth headway to lead approaching next, driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (2) gd in Dec beating Crocodile Dundee (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Mohayer (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd at the 4th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Westgate (10-9) by 5l, 10 ran.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 5-4jt-fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nobelix (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Chased leaders, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating John Forbes (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mendo 9-2 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased winner 3f out, no impression final 2f, 2nd of 22, 8l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Wizard of Us 10-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 7, 10l behind The Kop End (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Amaretto Rose 7-2 (10-5) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, led on bit after 2 out, ran on strongly, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Hobbs Hill (10-12) by 13l, 16 ran.
