held up in touch, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, headway under pressure after 3 out, kept on one pace
pulled hard, led and soon clear, headed after 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden next, kept on one pace
prominent, effort 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, weakened halfway
chased leaders until weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, behind when fell last
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead towards finish
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
The Ring, Rossin Gold and Palomar form our shortlist here with the vote going to Rossin Gold. A course and distance winner, The Ring has proven consistent over hurdles and, having run well in a fair handicap last time, must be considered although he would ideally probably not want conditions to be too quick. Palomar was disapppinting on his hurdling debut but, having proven useful at middle-distances on the Flat, cannot be ignored today. Rossin Gold is unpenalised for his hurdling wins and, with quicker conditions suiting him, he could prove to be the one they all have to beat. Of the others, Cara Sposa improved for drier going at Wetherby last time and can improve again, while Make A Mark has shown enough to be suggested as a place prospect, and Rightful Ruler also falls into that category. Finally, San Deng has shown promise in each hurdling start to date and is another that has to be given some thought, along with Sculastic, who has yet to transfer his Flat best to hurdling although his most-recent effort was a step in the right direction. Overall, though, we will stick with Rossin Gold as the selection.
Cara Sposa (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Daldini (10-10) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Palomar (USA) Evensfav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, held when blundered badly last, 10th of 15, 24l behind Dancing Lyra (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Rightful Ruler 17-2 (9-10) Mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden and beaten from 3 out, 7th of 13, 19l behind Majorca (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed 5th, ridden next and soon weakened, 4th of 7, well behind Nelson du Ronceray (11-9) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
San Deng 33-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Leslingtaylor (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Sculastic 9-2 (10-8) In touch, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 14, 6l behind John Forbes (11-6) at Catterick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
The Ring (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 11l behind Double Vodka (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Make A Mark (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 8th of 17, 12l behind Lutea (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
