tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, no extra and held before last
close up on inner, chased leaders 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, in command before last, stayed on strongly
held up, steady headway into mid-division from 4th, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, soon no further progress
always towards rear, mistakes 1st and next, reminders after 4th, struggling in rear 3 out, tailed off
led until 2nd, prominent until weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, stayed on same pace in 3rd from 2 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, behind when went left and hit 2 out
raced wide, in touch until mistake and dropped to rear 3rd, ridden before 5th, struggling in rear 3 out , tailed off
mistake 1st, behind and driven 5th, struggling in rear 3 out, tailed off
behind, headway 5th, blundered next, some headway in 7th before 2 out, soon faded
always behind, ridden before 5th, struggling in rear 3 out, tailed off
COIS FARRAIG sets a clear standard on form and rates a confident pick to beat Dean's Grange, whist Nehemiah, King of Leon and Camino Real may fight it out for minor honours. Paul Webber's point-to-point winner has come up against a couple of really smart horses over hurdles so far and has lost little in defeat. He was pitched in against some of the best at Chepstow over Christmas, evidence of the regard in which he's held, and as he's got solid form on a variety of ground there seems little reason to look elsewhere in our search for the winner. Dean's Grange ran well when placed behind Qaspal a couple of starts back and merits respect, but the fact he's been beaten in handicaps suggests this rating of 110 is about right and it leaves him with plenty to find. The form of King of Leon's bumper win has been well and truly franked but it was in 2008 and on this ground our feeling is he'd want to be going further than this trip, so we'll take him on along with Nehemiah who showed some promise on his hurdling debut but needs to find a chunk of improvement. Camino Real was last seen running in a graded bumper but has been off for over two years, although with Jim Old's runners bang in form this horse can't be totally discounted and the market should be checked with care. Weapon Of War is capable of better but may be seen to better effect once handicapping , Dances With Waves looks the second string of the yard and King Kieren's first time tongue-tie shouldn't make a significant difference to the outcome of this race, one taken to go with Cois Farraig.
Cois Farraig 3-1 (11-1) Chased leader, ridden to lead before 2 out, joined last, driven and headed final strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Lush Life (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Dean's Grange 10-3 (11-1) Chased leaders, chased leader on long run to 3 out, pushed along and every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Action Impact (11-1) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Mar.
Himrayn 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened approaching 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Sandynow (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
King Kieren (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened well over 3f out, 15th of 16, well behind Theredballoon (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
King of Leon (FR) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 12, 44l behind Swansbrook (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Midnight Spirit 40-1 (10-0) In touch, effort 3 out, 5th and one pace when pecked next, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Akarshan (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Nehemiah 50-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place when not fluent 3 out, no impression after, 7th of 13, 14l behind Like A Hurricane (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Rossmill Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Captain Chris (11-6) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Jack Fawaz (IRE) 80-1 (10-2) Led, headed 8f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 5f out, 13th of 16, 36l behind Theredballoon (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Camino Real 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 19, 23l behind Dayia (10-10) at Sandown 2m mrs N H flat lst (1) gd in Mar '08.
Dances With Waves (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, behind 8f out, tailed off, 19th of 20, well behind Cinderella Rose (10-8) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gd in Mar.
Weapon Of War (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 29l behind Cheshire Prince (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
