led, joined 4 out, ridden and headed narrowly next, still every chance next, not fluent last, one pace and lost 3rd close home
prominent, joined leader 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and ran on gamely flat
close up, pushed along 4 out, weakened next
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, outpaced 7th, soon tailed off
close up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on same pace
keen tracked leaders, weakened quickly after 4 out
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, never near leaders
in touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on to go 3rd close home
held up in rear, headway 3 out, effort when short of room next, ridden and every chance when hit last, ran on
in rear, pushed along 3 out, never near leaders
An interesting opener which is likely to produce plenty of winners this winter. The progressive Young Bull got off the mark at Ffos Las and he was value for more than his winning margin. Oscar Robertson made a winning start over timber here three weeks ago while Black Ebony was an eye-catching fourth at Carlisle. Holme Abbey should do better now tackling hurdles while Maid In Manhattan has been prolific in staying races on the Flat this year, though hasn’t shown much over hurdles so far. LE CHEVAL NOIR has won a point and a bumper and could be anything. He’s a half-brother to a winning hurdler and the fact that he’s won over 2m and 3m bodes well for his chances over this intermediate trip.
Oscar Robertson (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader 3rd until 4 out, chased leaders, badly outpaced before 3 out, rallied and switched left and went 2nd again before 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well to go clear run-in, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Blossoming Forth (10-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Young Bull (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Pressed leader on outside, led 3 out, driven clear between last 2, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Hideaway Vic (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Black Ebony 4-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on after last, never a threat, 4th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Methodtothemadness (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Crack Du Ninian (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader until after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Alnadam (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Eden Collonges (FR) 66-1 (10-12) With leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 16, dist behind Pull Green (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Holme Abbey 6-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, lost place over 4f out, soon outpaced, ridden over 3f out, modest 4th when edged right inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 21l behind Shanroe (11-0) at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Apr.
Le Cheval Noir (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, edged right 1f out, pressed final furlong, held on, won at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Exelerator Express (11-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Shattered Glass (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 3rd frm 7th, 4th 6out, cl 2nd aftr 5out, chall with ev ch bef 2out, ld cl hm, won at Inchydoney 3m mdn fm in May beating What A Jeremy (12-2) by shd, 7 ran.
The Composeur (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden along before 3 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened, 7th of 11, 34 3/4l behind Eclair Surf (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov.
Western Aussie (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, mistake 1st, outpaced 3 out, kept on well under pressure last, 3rd of 9, 11 1/4l behind Clarendon Street (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Maid In Manhattan (IRE) 11-8jfav (10-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and led entering final 2f, ridden and pressed inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp fll (3) sft in Oct beating Methag (9-2) by shd, 6 ran.
Wonderful Woman (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, towards rear after 6f, trailing halfway, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Roseys Hollow (11-9) at Cork 2m sft in Mar.
