mid-division, headway 3rd, chased winner when mistake 3 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace
led until 4th, ridden after next, weakened 2 out
held up, took keen hold, always towards rear, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, took keen hold, always in rear, tailed off
always prominent, led 4th, ridden when mistake 3 out, clear last, comfortably
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden and lost touch approaching 3rd, soon pulled up
mid-division, jumped right and reminders 2nd, lost place 4th, no impression after
always in rear, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened well before 3 out, jumped right 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
prominent, weakened 3rd, well behind next, pulled up after 5th
Golden Square has won over course and distance and the trainer had the winner in this contest last year, whilst the trip should suit Bari Bay but our choice is ETOILE D'OR. Although she has just one hurdle win to her name and the form has not been worth writing home about so far this year, the Tim Vaughan yard has been in a golden groove at the moment and we expect some further development in this contest. With this in mind and that Richard Johnson takes the ride again having won on board this mare last November at Hexham, we tentatively side with Etoile D'Or today. The thoroughly exposed Golden Square does not exactly jump off the page as a challenger in this one despite having won here last August over this trip and we oppose him here. Bari Bay finished a long way behind Marlborough Sound at Towcester last month and although likely to improve for a drop back to her preferred two miles remains a maiden from eighteen starts and is best watched. We favour Etoile D'Or to score here.
Art Man 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 4th, headway approaching next where mistake, soon outpaced, stayed on approaching 2 out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Skye But N Ben (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Golden Square 8-1 (11-4) In touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and headed after next, one pace approaching last, lost place and weakened flat, 4th of 14, 14l behind Risk Challenge (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
We're Delighted 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway on inside approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 6th of 14, 22l behind Risk Challenge (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Sahara Prince (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Last most of way, 7th of 9, well behind Mister Putt (12-0) at Upper Sapey 3m ptp in May.
Monsieur (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, no extra, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Danish Monarch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun '09.
Domino Dancer (IRE) 85-40 (11-0) Keen early, tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden after 5th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, plugged on to go moderate 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 6, well behind Dr Valentine (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hdl (5) hvy in Mar.
Royal Master 40-1 (11-7) Took keen hold in rear, ridden after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bosamcliff (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Tancredi (SWE) 100-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off 3 out, blundered and fell 2 out, in a race won by Empty Sky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Bari Bay 5-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, behind when hampered 5th, headway when not fluent 3 out, wandered next, weakend approaching last, 5th of 12, 23l behind Marlborough Sound (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Ravine Rose 25-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, brought down 4th, in a race won by Bonzeno Queen (10-7) at Stratford 2m nov sell hdl (5) gd in May, 14 ran.
Escardo (GER) 40-1 (11-1) Mid-division, dropped rear 4th, headway after next, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 13, 41l behind Isintshelovely (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Golden Smog (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Not jump well in rear, no chance after 3 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May, 11 ran.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 19l behind Cat Six (9-11) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hcp hdl (0-95) (5) gs in Mar.
