in touch, ridden 5th, lost touch 8th, continued, tailed off
always in rear, not run on after 5th, continued, tailed off
tracked leader to 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, hit 5th, headway to track leaders after 3 out, chased winner last, kept on flat, always held
held up towards rear, mistake 6th and next, ridden and struggling soon after 3 out, tailed off
led to 5th, chased leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, chased winner to last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, led soon after 2 out, strongly pressed from last, driven and held on game, all out
held up in rear, headway on inside to chase leaders when not much room, blundered and almost unseated rider 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to take 3rd flat
tracked leaders, led 5th, hit 3 out, wide into straight and headed approaching 2 out, kept on again flat
Cousin Nicky is taken to account for Ben's Turn and Legally Fast. Cousin Nicky won very easily last Sunday and showed that he could be a couple of pounds ahead of the handicapper. The presence of Philip Hobbs charge appears to have scared off a number of probables at the five day stage and he looks difficult to oppose if he has returned sound from that recent success. Ben's Turn let down the money buyers when turned over at 2/11 on her last start. A prolific winner of modest races, the handicapper hasn't had too much opportunity to see just how good she is. Legally Fast won a recent event at Market Rasen although the form could be a little suspect as they dawdled for a long way. Kipsigis is potentially unexposed and course form should never be undervalued. Quazar travels well but invariably finds nothing when push comes to shove. Two Miles West takes a welcome drop in class after some lamentable efforts against better opposition. Ingres stays and handles soft ground but a record of 1-36 over hurdles hardly inspires confidence. Cousin Nicky puts all the ticks in the right boxes for us and is the selection.
Two Miles West (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place 7th, 16th of 17, well behind Halcon Genelardais (10-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Quazar (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always in rear, driven along 6th, soon struggling, 10th of 11, 35l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Legally Fast (USA) 15-2 (11-0) With leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Longueville Manor (10-10) by 5l, 8 ran.
Kipsigis (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to track leader 8th, led 2 out, left clear and mistake last, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar beating Heron's Ghyll (10-12) by 8l, 13 ran.
One Nation (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 7th, 7th of 11, 33l behind Dangerously Good (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec '04.
Cousin Nicky 7-2 (11-7) Made all, easily, won at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov beating Men Of Destiny (10-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Ben's Turn (IRE) 2-11fav (11-7) Prominent, led after 8th, joined 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Hollywood (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Beare Necessities (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) In touch, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind Fairlight Express (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Ingres 14-1 (9-11) Mid-idivision, headway to track leader 3rd, ridden 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Potts of Magic (10-8) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
