chased leader, led after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on same pace flat
prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
prominent, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened 6th
in touch, lost place after 4th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, ridden and mistake 3 out, no impression
towards rear, reminder 4th, ridden 5th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, hard ridden and drifted left, headed close home
in touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders 6th, ran on well after last, led close home
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next
always behind, weakened after 5th
Penalties for the progressive pair of Special Occasion and Vodka Brook may make life tough and so it is SOFT SPOKEN GUY who is nominated in an intriguing opener. A few of these have entries in various races at the festival, but the selection is one who doesn't. He was well-held on his recent hurdling bow at Chepstow but that was in desperate ground and it may have over-faced him. A drop in trip on better ground looks ideal for him and the formerly very smart bumper performer is taken to oblige over hurdles today. Song Sung Blue is consistent but he was well-held recently behind Pride Of Dulcote at Wincanton. The drop in trip may suit but despite the stables good form he is taken on. As is Shinnecock Bay who may be of more interest when hitting handicap company, whilst Sir Kezbaah represents a yard who are yet to start firing after a break. Special Occasion will head the betting; Paul Nicholls' gelding was purchased for 82,000 guineas in October at Newmarket and scraped home on his hurdling debut at Wincanton. He will have learnt a lot from that but this half-brother to Gee Dee Nen may find life tough under a penalty. Vodka Brook is more experienced and he put that to good use when staying on strongly to win at Wincanton last time. He looks a chaser in the making like many from the yard and the drop in trip today would have to be a worry. Aboukir Bay has been beaten a total of 179 lengths on two hurdles starts to date and this former Charlie Longsdon inmate is yet to show any of the ability that led to a ¿68,000 tag at the sales last year and he may be one for handicaps in the future. A decent opener to the card, with the vote going to Soft Spoken Guy.
Special Occasion 6-5fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway to lead approaching 2 out, shaken up approaching last, hard ridden flat, just held on, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating In Vino (11-1) by a ns, 10 ran.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led on bit 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan beating Rathcor (11-10) by 13l, 19 ran.
Aboukir Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Nictory Vote (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Shinnecock Bay 20-1 (11-2) Held up in 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon struggling, 7th of 9, 35l behind According To Dick (11-2) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden after next, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 27l behind Nictory Vote (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Little Josh (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Song Sung Blue (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked winner to 7th, soon no chance, last of 2, 28l behind Pride of Dulcote (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Summery Justice (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from next, 4th of 12, 8l behind Nictory Vote (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Tigger 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, steady headway 4th, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Camomile Green 150-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, tailed off final 3f, 6th of 9, well behind Aldertune (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Jan.
