made all, clear last, ran on well, unchallenged
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden when not fluent 2 out, mistake and beaten last, just held on for 2nd
jumped right, held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway when not fluent 3 out, weakened next
mistakes, always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened after next, no chance when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, driven in 5th after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden 5th, soon well beaten, tailed off
not fluent 1st, in rear, behind 5th, tailed off
tracked winner, not fluent and ridden 5th, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division on outside, took keen hold, went right after 1st, headway after 5th, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, just failed to get 2nd
mid-division, behind from 5th, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
WHAT A RIDDLE had a fantastic seasonal bow when beating Malin Bay by a nose at Perth last time out and we fancy him to see off the likes of A Dream Come True, Brandy Butter and last time out winner Players Please. The selection has the services of the champion jockey here and although the trip may be a slight reservation given that he has generally run at greater distances, we think this Tony Martin trained gelding can emerge victorious in the opening race. A Dream Come True won her last outing at Towcester over a similar trip and has steadily improved in each of her appearances so far this year. Although this race is likely to be a bit tougher given the competition she should be in the mix approaching the finish. Brandy Butter had a poor run at Bath towards the end of May and finished a long way behind the winner. However with a return to hurdles today should be a contender. Players Please showed some progression over the hurdles last time at Wetherby and has placed in half of the contests that he has run in. Today we side with What A Riddle to get the win.
Players Please (USA) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, challenged from 3 out, ridden and jumped right last, held on well, pushed out, won at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) gd beating Mr Melodious (10-8) by 4l, 10 ran.
What A Riddle (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, challenged last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in May beating Malin Bay (10-11) by ns, 14 ran.
Rate Field (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, challenged after 8th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Brousse En Feux (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Spiders Tern 200-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride, outpaced and always behind, last of 5, 35l behind Cosimo De Medici (8-7) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (6) fbs in Jan (flat).
Bluebird Chariot 50-1 (8-4) Towards rear, some headway on outside 5f out, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Cote d'Argent (9-4) at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May (flat).
Grasscutter (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced when left 2nd and hampered 5 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Presenting Forever (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (5) sft in Dec.
He's A Sheila 12-1 (10-2) Towards rear on outside, not fluent 2nd or 4th, headway approaching 5th, not fluent 6th, soon weakened, hampered last, 8th of 10, 27l behind Ajman (10-9) at Ludlow 2m cond sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Renege The Joker 80-1 (10-5) In rear, ridden and headway to 3rd 3out, effort when hampered by loose horse approaching bend before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Moonstreaker (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Simone Martini (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Always in rear, pulled up approaching 6th, in a race won by Ardmaddy (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in May, 10 ran.
Brandy Butter 6-1 (11-7) Chased winner, not fluent, ridden after 6th, mistake and lost 2nd next, weakened approaching 2 out, went poor 3rd last, 3rd of 10, well behind Prescelli (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
A Dream Come True 12-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, with leader, led 2nd, soon headed, left in lead 5th, clear approaching last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m clm hdl (5) gd in May beating Billy Beetroot (10-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Kemsley Lass 200-1 (10-4) Chased leaders 2f, mid-division, weakened over 7f out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Friendship Bay (11-4) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Oct.
Poca A Poca (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened after next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Onemix (9-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in May.
