in touch, pushed along when not much room bend over 6f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 6f out, chased winner 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, soon beaten
mid-division, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out
chased leader, led 9f out, stayed on well and drew clear inside final furlong comfortably
held up towards rear, headway when ran slightly wide bend over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway on inside 8f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, prominent, weakened quickly 8f out, soon tailed off, pulled up 5f out
raced keenly, led, headed 9f out, chased winner after until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, well in rear, always behind
On the face of it this looks to be the weaker of the two divisions and it may prove to be a good opportunity for COPPER SOUND to win again despite his penalty; Quoquille Des Sacart and King High look the most interesting of the newcomers. Despite having to give at least 7lbs away to the field, Michael Scudamore's gelding must have solid claims here. He handled desperate conditions well when winning at Hexham in April and will have learnt plenty from that. He has been given a break since and receives our vote. Quoquille Des Sacart is one to watch in the betting and this talented point-to-pointer is an exciting prospect for the season ahead, Little Josh hasn't been seen for some time but connections know the time of day, whilst Coverdale Girl needs to improve on her debut at Perth where she was well-beaten. King High is related to several winners and this nicely-bred gelding, along with Donald McCain's Reindeer Dippin look the most interesting newcomers. The market once again should help the punters out, however we will side with the proven Copper Sound.
Copper Sound 8-1 (10-4) Towards rear, reminder 6f out, headway to lead over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on gamely, won at Hexham 2m nhf (6) hvy in Apr beating China House (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Britannicus (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kalico Kim (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m nhf sft in Aug.
Fly From Basra Petrizzo gelding out of a moderate racemare.
King High (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of winning bumper Tessano Queen.
Little Josh (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Big Paddy (11-7) at Summerhill 3m ire ptp in Apr '06.
Pathian Prince 12-1 (11-7) T.o & pulled up in race won by Apocalozzo (12-0) at Bonvilston 3m ptp hvy in Apr, 14 ran.
Reindeer Dippin Sir Harry Lewis gelding out of winning hurdler Analogical.
Coverdale Girl 33-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, well behind Russian War (11-4) at Perth 2m nhf (6) gd in Jul.
Quoquille Des Sacart (FR) 6-4fav (10-0) Held up; hdwy 13; led bet last 2; sn clr, won at Trecoed 3m ptp frm in Jun beating Mel's Moment (12-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Royal Renegade 150-1 (10-5) Always behind, 11th of 16, well behind Finney (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
