led 1st, ridden after 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, jumped right 2nd, ridden 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, headway after 5th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, switched left last, no extra flat
chased leader, joined leader 5th, ridden after 6th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 1st, some headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened after
behind, carried right 2nd, soon no impression
mid-division, headway and chased leader approaching 6th, ridden and challenged after 3 out, led 2 out, edged right last, ran on
led to 1st, in touch until ridden and weakened 6th
chased leader, ridden 4th, weakened 5th, pulled up before 6th
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, kept on same pace flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Red Dahlia, Swift Sailor and Pure Pleasure form the shortlist and we will stick with Swift Sailor. A 30 000 guineas purchase out of the Mark Johnston stable, its fair to say that his debut runs over timber were somewhat inauspicious but with a little bit further to travel and a change of jockey, these factors could work the oracle. Red Dahlia had decent form with Mark Pitman although consistency was never a strong point. That said, the ground and trip are fine and it is a question of how far forward she is following absence. Ex-New Zealand performer, Pure Pleasure would have finished second at Worcester last May had he not capsized at the second last. There is a chance that he could have needed some time to acclimatise to this country so the market is watched accordingly. Top Trees has had fifteen attempts over timber without success but this is such a modest race that even he should be considered. Delaware and Big Max look to have had their best days and at their advanced ages, it is difficult to exude too much confidence. A modest opener but one where Swift Sailor has conditions in his favour.
Delaware (FR) 11-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th and lost place, stayed on again from 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Shared Account (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf.
Orion Express 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden and not fluent 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 14l behind Glacial Delight (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) frm in Oct.
Oyster Pearl (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 6th, 7th of 11, 37l behind Joey (9-10) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf.
Pure Pleasure (NZ) 7-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, some headway 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 29l behind Kilindini (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
Top Trees 8-1 (10-8) Refused to race, took no part refused to race in race won by Fu Manchu (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Red Dahlia 33-1 (9-10) With leader, mistake and lost place 5th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 29l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Big Max 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Northaw Lad (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in May.
Swift Sailor 10-3fav (11-1) Prominent and keen, lost place and not much room approaching 2nd, one pace when hit last, 7th of 13, 8l behind Hugs Destiny (11-1) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
