held up, went 2nd 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner
led, ran wide and headed bend approaching 5th, weakened 3 out
chased leader, led bend approaching 5th, shaken up when clear 2 out, easily
Nonrunner
SPANISH CONQUEST should be prohibitive odds to see off Mutual Friend and Hot Diamond. Although his principal market rival was absent at Haydock on Saturday, he disposed of a decent field with contempt and with the handicapper unable to react to the ease of his two recent successes, he is arguably the best handicapped hurdler in training at present. Mutual Friend seems to have become more consistent for the application of headgear. A decent traveller in his races, he is proven on the surface although the decision to put him up another 3lb for a recent second at Newbury appears to be more than a little harsh on the handicapper's part. Hot Diamond has took on some decent company in the past. He was fully deserving of his Huntingdon success but the handicapper has had plenty of chance to assess him properly. Postmaster is consistent enough though faces a tough task off top weight. The remainder look up against it. It is impossible to oppose Spanish Conquest and the prices are likely to reflect this accordingly.
Postmaster 7-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden and chased winner after 3f out, kept on well flat, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Qozak (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Winsley Hill 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 13l behind My Petra (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gf in Nov.
Spanish Conquest 4-5fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, eased near finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Stoop To Conquer (10-11) by 12l, 9 ran.
Mutual Friend (USA) 6-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, travelling well behind leaders appproaching 2 out, ridden and hung left soon after, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Secret Tune (10-8) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Hot Diamond 8-11fav (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Mount Helicon (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Boogie Dancer 66-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Yetholm (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
