led to after 5th, led 3 out, ridden, headed 2 out, one pace
prominent, chased leaders 5th, led 6th to 3 out, soon ridden, no chance from 2 out
towards rear, headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, challenged on bit after 2 out, led, blundered last, soon recovered, easily
in touch, ridden, headway 6th, led 2 out, headed last, not match winner
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 7th
chased leader, led after 5th, headed 6th, soon ridden, weakened
Cousin Nicky is edging down to an attractive mark but his confidence may be affected by a heavy fall last time and preference is for SYNCHRONISED over Never So Blue and Acosta. Jonjo O'Neill has his stable in good form and this gelding returns from a break this afternoon. He was last seen in November when well-held behind Character Building but he is a horse of some potential and the softer ground today may be in his favour. Never So Blue is a course winner but his recent runs have suggested that he is not particularly well-handicapped now and despite an excellent strike-rate, and the tremendous form of the stable, this gelding is now taken on. Acosta has now won two of his last three starts, which isn't bad considering he had been winless in the 19 runs previously but the ground may not be ideal this afternoon. Cashel Blue is unexposed in this country and has shaped with enough promise in his four starts in the UK to suggest that this mark of 105 may not be beyond him. Cousin Nicky is dropped in class today and Philip Hobbs has his horses in good form at present; this gelding has carried big weights to success in the past. At a price Quasimodo is one to watch in the betting, but for the winner we will return to Synchronised.
Cousin Nicky 5-1 (11-6) Chased leader until fell at the 10th in race won by Le Burf (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 6-1fav (11-3) Behind, hit 7th and 11th, stayed on from 4 out, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 15, 21l behind The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Synchronised (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 7th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, 34l behind Character Building (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Cashel Blue (USA) 18-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 7th, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 19, 21l behind Vodka Brook (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Daraz Rose (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Hit 5th, always behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Quasimodo (GB) 4-1 (10-10) Behind from 6th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Magnifico (9-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Acosta 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, reminders and headway 5th, chased leader 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well to lead last, kept on flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd beating Low Delta (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hillridge 20-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden for progress 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 14l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
