chased leader, led 5th, blundered and headed 3 out, weakened and hung badly left approaching 2 out
led and pulled hard, headed 5th, weakened next
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up last, ridden and headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on one pace from last
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost touch 4th, pulled up before 5th
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out
hit 1st, prominent, ridden to chase winner 3 out, jumped right from 2 out, no danger after
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up and dismounted before 2 out
in touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and jumped right 2 out, clear last, pushed out flat
A trappy novices hurdle gets proceedings underway and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the principals look to be Flying Grey, Royal Rationale and Avant Gardiste and the vote is given to Royal Rationale. The selection has won off a mark of 76 on the flat, is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut, and under conditions that suit he is taken to score. Flying Grey rates the main danger as he has experience on his side and was a fair fourth behind Hypnotic Vibes but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect in handicaps over a longer trip and he looks opposable on that basis. Avant Gardiste was fourth behind Mud Monkey but he does not look the stables' first string on jockey bookings. Of the remainder Pennyrock ran with promise on his debut and is another that could improve but Royal Rationale need only put in a clear round to score.
Avant Gardiste (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, in touch when weakening and mistake 3 out, 4th of 12, 21l behind Mud Monkey (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, never on terms, 8th of 16, 41l behind Inchlaggan (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Flying Grey (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, no chance when blundered last, 4th of 10, 14l behind Hypnotic Vibes (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Foreign King (USA) 50-1 (8-12) Always behind, last of 17, 14l behind Warriors Key (9-3) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gf in Aug '06 (Flat).
Iced Tango 33-1 (8-1) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 29l behind Wickedish (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) gf in Aug (Flat).
King of Magic 25-1 (8-4) Mid-division, one pace final 2f, 9th of 15, 9l behind Benayoun (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2yo sll (6) hvy (Flat).
Pennyrock (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, stayed on steadily approaching 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 14, 10l behind Tension Point (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) In touch on outer, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind One Hour (9-6) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jun (Flat).
Swagger 16-1 (10-7) Always behind, 11th of 14, 42l behind Tension Point (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Summer of Love (IRE) 2-1fav (10-5) Prominent, ridden 3 out, every chance approaching last, outpaced flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Guardian of Truth (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
