held up towards rear, never in contention
prominent, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off
pulled hard, always behind, mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, never in contention
in touch, switched left and chased winner 2 out, led last, hung right flat, not doing a lot in front, ridden out
in touch, took good hold, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, soon racing keenly, switched right after 6th, headway after next, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, behind approaching 6th, tailed off
led, headed approaching 2nd, tracked leader, led 6th, edged right after 2 out, headed last, switched left flat, one pace
raced keenly, led approaching 2nd, headed 6th, still every chance 3 out, weakening when mistake last
handy, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway and moderate 6th before 3 out, no impression
Having won his only start in an Irish point-to-point in good fashion, HOPEFUL START looks the pick of Jonjo O'Neill's two runners in the race ahead of Domos Boy and he gets the vote ahead of Emperor Concerto. Lucy Wadham's gelding showed promise in both starts in bumpers and again has run better in two outings over hurdles so he has to be respected although the better ground today may be of some concern. Quelqu'un Comme Toi ran creditably in all three starts for Carl Llewellyn and now makes his debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies so has to be respected, while Triggerman won well enough in a Sedgefield bumper last time when trained by Len Lungo and now has his first outing for Philip Hobbs. Both have claims but may be best watched first time out for new connections with a bigger threat likely to come from Don McCain's Finlay, who makes his debut over hurdles having run well in both starts in bumpers. Jonjo O'Neill's Domos Boy has shown a decent level of form in Irish point-to-points and he has to be considered but Tony McCoy prefers Hopeful Start and that is a tip in itself.
Arctic Watch 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, pushed along after 8th, soon weakened, 5th of 12, well behind Baily Storm (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) gf in Sep.
Brookfieldshector (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Led 3f, remained prominent, under pressure and weakened over 4f out, 11th of 15, 35l behind Volador (11-3) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Clearly Mad (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Went 2nd 4 out; nt qckn 2 out, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Seaplace (12-0) at Garthorpe 2m 4f ptp in May '08.
Domos Boy (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) Mid div, prog to ldrs 5out, ld 3out, sn in command, row, won at Maralin 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Mountdrum Cross (12-0) by 12l, 15 ran.
Emperor Concerto 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, not quicken, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Finlay 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Sharadiyn (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Hopeful Start (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 5out, ld aftr 2out, sow, won at Kilworth 3m ire ptp in Mar beating Dashing Bach (12-0) by 8l, 10 ran.
Our Spring Parthian Springs gelding out of Little Sail.
Quelqu'un Comme Toi (FR) 16-1 (11-3) In touch, chased leaders from 8th, 3rd and held when not fluent last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Crashtown Hall (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Triggerman 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led halfway, made rest, ridden clear when edged right entering final furlong, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Rushwee (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Tucumcari (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Rcd 3rd, ld main grp, rdn to 5l 3rd 3out, went 2nd 2out, nev on terms with wnr, ko, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Wings Of A Star (11-7) at Ballybunion 3m ire ptp gd in May.
Flowerbud 28-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly just inside final 2f, 11th of 12, 23l behind Looks The Business (9-5) at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-55 (6) fm in Aug (flat).
Springtree (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In rear, struggling after 4th, tailed off after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Erzen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 13 ran.
