mid-division, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
tracked leading pair, lost place 3 out, weakened from next,
always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair
with winner, mistake 6th, ridden and out paced 2 out, lost place between last 2, soon weakened
held up, always towards rear
raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, challenged last, ridden and stayed on to lead briefly flat, no extra towards finish
made most, mistake 3rd, ridden last, rallied when headed briefly flat, stayed on towards finish
behind, struggling 5th, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders
Not a strong race bar a couple and it is the 70-rated HOLLINS who is put up as an each-way alternative to the likely winner Sitting Tenant. Micky Hammond's gelding handles soft ground and he looks the sort who could make a mark in this sphere. He stays well so the trip should be well within his range and a big run is expected. The favourite will be Sitting Tennant who has joined Howard Johnson (for 160,000 guineas) since beating Lidar in the Aintree Champion Bumper. He is an obvious contender however he is yet to jump a hurdle in public and looks unlikely to be much of a price to prosper. Potemkin arguably sets the standard of those to have raced over hurdles so far, however improvement is anticipated from both Fettler and Balmacara Boy. The hurdling newcomers Grand Zouki and Border Flora look likely to be up against it, and so it is an each-way bet on Hollins that is recommended.
Balmacara Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, reminders after 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 12, well behind Mesbaah (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Doodlebop (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, hampered 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind I'll Be Frank (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Fettler 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, jumped slow 3rd, weakened when jumped left from 2 out, 7th of 9, 25l behind Pengana (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Grand Zouki (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and no extra approaching final furlong, 4th of 10, 20l behind Roses (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Harbour Way Bal Harbour gelding out of Adjusting.
Hollins 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased well over 1f out, 14th of 15, 49l behind Conflictofinterest (11-2) at Ayr 2m NH flat (3) gd in Apr '08.
Mansolias (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened from next, 10th of 13, 43l behind Meridian City (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Potemkin (USA) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, mistakes 5th and 6th, soon under pressure, tailed off before 2 out, behind when pulled up last, in a race won by Home (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Sitting Tennant 66-1 (11-4) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, soon hung right, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Apr beating Lidar (10-12) by 3/4l, 19 ran.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Saddle slipped, pulled up before 1st, in a race won by Alora Money (10-7) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Border Flora 14-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 2f out, one pace, 4th of 17, 11l behind Knockaveen (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
