WETHERBY (27 Dec 2005)

Soft

2:35 Play Roulette On CH4 - Press Red Handicap Hurdle (Class D) (4yo+,0-115)

[off 2:36] £5,074.68, £1,489.80, £744.90, £372.06 9 hdles 2m

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Oso Magic Mrs S J Smith 7 10-4 D Elsworth 15/8 91 — —

2 2 Diamond Sal J Howard Johnson 7 11-6 B S Hughes(5) 13/8F 112 — —

3 8 Nerone (GER) P Monteith 4 11-3 J Crowley 9/1 104 — —

4 1 Dance Party (IRE) M W Easterby 5 10-8 Mr T Greenall(3) 14/1 98 — —

5 1½ Uptown Lad (IRE) R Johnson 6 11-2 K Johnson 8/1 103 — —

6 10 Mokum (FR) A W Carroll 4 11-2 C Llewellyn 28/1 103 — —

7 dist County Classic T D Easterby 6 10-13 b1 R Garritty 33/1 100 — —

8 4 Fair Spin M D Hammond 5 11-12 v F Keniry 33/1 113 — —

8 ran TIME 4m 13.50s (slow by 33.50s) TOTAL SP 109%

NON RUNNERS: College City (IRE) ,Executive Decision (IRE) (2nd preference),Snow´s Ride

1st OWNER: Michael Thompson BRED: M H Ings TRAINER: Mrs S J Smith

2nd OWNER: Andrea & Graham Wylie

3rd OWNER: D A Johnson

TOTE WIN £3.00 PL £1.30, £1.40, £2.30; Ex £6.20; CSF £4.98; TRICAST £16.49

ANALYSIS: No more than a fair event run at an ordinary gallop. However, an interesting winner in the in-form chaser OSO MAGIC, who is rated 35lb lower over hurdles than fences. Despite dropping back to two miles, he travelled strongly throughout and drawing clear after the second last, scored ridden out. A big individual, he has taken time to come to himself, but is at the top of his form at present and can win again either over hurdles, including novice events, or back over fences.

Diamond Sal faced a stiff task giving weight to well-handicapped winner, and was simply no match for him, but was clear of the rest. She went up 8lb for her Carlisle win, so isn't exactly well treated, but may well appreciate a stiffer test of stamina and can find further opportunities.

Nerone once again raced keenly, but didn't run badly, Dance Party may need a further drop in the handicap before she wins, and Uptown Lad never threatened.