chased leaders, not fluent 7th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, one pace when mistake last
held up, took closer order 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
led until 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
chased leaders, led briefly 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
in touch, hit 5th, ridden 8th, soon beaten
keen, tracked leaders on outer, good headway to lead on bit approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, all out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up last, ridden after 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, not reach winner
The vote here goes to Crookstown Castle ahead of Blackchurch Mist and Mrs Philip. Crookstown Castle hacked up at Sandown last time in a similar event and a five-pound rise for that seems fair. He remains unexposed and looks the one to beat. Rydon Lane is now just three pounds above a winning mark and is generally consistent, but he did drop away a bit tamely last time after travelling well fro a long way. Central Committee won from an eight-pound higher mark in February 2003 but doesn't seem as good now, but there can be no doubt that Blackchurch Mist, a course and distance winner, is well-weighted based on her form of a year ago and is fully entitled to go well. Mrs Philip showed improved form on her return to hurdling last time and, set to go up by four pounds in the ratings after today, clearly warrants consideration. The others possibly need to find improvement which, in turn, spins us back to the selection, which is Crookstown Castle.
