| Course: ASCOT | Race date:11/04/08 | Race time:2:20 | Runners:14 |
| Race distance:2m3½f | Going:Good | Winners time:4m 41.40s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hora | Felix De Giles | N J Henderson | 9-9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8/1 | 4.5 | 3.85 | 2 | 1.01 | 1 | ||
| Commander Kev | W T Kennedy | Noel T Chance | 11-0 | 7 | 0 | 114 | 5/1 | 2.8 | 2.33 | 1.67 | 1.01 | 2 | 2¾ | |
| Prince Du Beury | Andrew Tinkler | N J Henderson | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 4/1 | 2.56 | 2.15 | 1.19 | 1.02 | 3 | 5 | |
| Busker Royal | Timmy Murphy | W J Musson | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11/2 | 3.95 | 3.31 | 2.39 | 1.26 | 4 | 6 | |
| Master Darcy | Colin Bolger | Mrs L J Mongan | 10-11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14/1 | 7.54 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 2.12 | 5 | 12 | |
| Lord Appellare | Dominic Elsworth | R Rowe | 11-0 | 7 | 0 | 110 | 25/1 | 9.17 | 7.32 | 4.71 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
| Knock Boy | Christian Williams | Mrs L C Jewell | 11-0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66/1 | 41.1 | 27.13 | 7.53 | 10.5 | 7 | 6 | |
| Shire | Noel Fehily | C J Mann | 11-0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50/1 | 38 | 30.23 | 9.54 | 4 | 8 | 4½ | |
| Job One | James Davies | B G Powell | 11-0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100/1 | 70 | 43.94 | 25.5 | 48 | 9 | 5 | |
| Divers | Tom Siddall | C E Longsdon | 10-7 | 4 | 0 | 119 | 12/1 | 5.32 | 4.31 | 2.28 | 3.55 | 10 | 30 | |
| Namibian Pink | Mr S P Hanson | R H York | 9-7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100/1 | 500 | 290.07 | 34.41 | 450 | 11 | 11 | |
| Hills Of Home | C M Studd | A King | 10-9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8/1 | 3.4 | 2.87 | 1.84 | 1.5 | F | ||
| Equity Release | Richard Johnson | P J Hobbs | 11-0 | 7 | 0 | 112 | 7/2F | 2.44 | 1.86 | 1.67 | 1.85 | PU | ||
| Another Conker | J W Stevenson | Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt | 10-7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100/1 | 300 | 196.01 | 32.93 | 100 | UR |
Hora tracked leaders, outpaced after 9th and ridden, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat to lead last 75yds, won going away
Commander Kev held up in rear, steady progress from 7th, tracked leaders going easily 3 out, led before 2 out, 2 lengths ahead and not fluent last, headed and outpaced final 75yds
Prince Du Beury took keen hold, held up in midfield, tracking leaders and going easily when flattened 3 out, ridden and chance 2 out, not quicken
Busker Royal prominent but never appeared to be going well, still close up before 2 out, faded under pressure
Master Darcy prominent, driven to lead briefly after 3 out, well beaten when mistake last
Lord Appellare made most until after 3 out, weakened next
Knock Boy held up well in rear, just in touch at back of main group 3 out, weakened 2 out
Shire took keen hold, raced wide, held up in rear, weakened before 2 out
Job One well in rear, slightly hampered 6th, lost touch next, well behind 8th, plugged on from 2 out
Divers mistakes, with leader until weakened very rapidly 3 out, tailed off
Namibian Pink jumped badly, always last, tailed off from 7th
Hills Of Home tracked leaders, close up 3 out, 7th and weakening when fell 2 out
Equity Release close up on inner, still well in touch 3 out, weakened rapidly, pulled up before next
Another Conker prominent, reminder after 3rd, well in touch when stumbled after 6th and unseated rider
The field became tightly packed on the run out of Swinley Bottom, but that was not the case up the straight, where HORA eventually wore down Commander Kev to make a winning jumps debut. Twice successful in 2m handicaps on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, she had shown a tendency to jump a little big at home and was the same on occasions here, but this was, on the whole, a most pleasing introduction to hurdles. Although outpaced a little when the tempo quickened, she knuckled down well under pressure, doing more than enough to suggest that she can continue to win while her novice status survives.
Commander Kev continues to frustrate while doing nothing wrong whatsoever. He is plainly a decent young hurdler, and he travelled like a dream until deep into the race. However, despite having the assistance of the rail to run against, he was collared close home. It will be a major injustice if he does not win something soon.
Master Darcy looked magnificent beforehand and was far from disgraced in the race after being positioned towards the front of the field. He is capable of landing a small heat, as is Lord Appellare, who only weakened inside the final quarter-mile after setting out to make all.
Shire should be all the better for this introduction, but there was nothing positive to say about Divers and Equity Release. Divers jumped poorly before dropping out, while Equity Release stopped very quickly as if something may have been amiss. It turned out that there was, with the horse having bled from both nostrils.
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