prominent in chasing group, jumped slowly 12th, weakened 5 out, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, went 3rd at 6th, hit 5 out, never on terms with leading duo, weakened and lost places run-in
prominent in chasing group, pushed along after 5 out, went 3rd run-in, never on terms with leading duo
off the pace in 6th, kept on run-in, never on terms with leading duo
pressed leader and clear of field, mistake 2nd, went left 9th, led 11th until approaching 3 out, where mistake, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
off the pace in 7th, headway went modest 4th close home, never on terms with leading duo
slight lead but pressed, headed 11th, rallied to lead again approaching 3 out, 2 lengths ahead going best 2 out, kept on gamely
well off the pace towards rear, tailed off 10th, pulled up in home straight
slowly away, well off the pace towards rear, tailed off 10th, pulled up in home straight
well off the pace in 8th, tailed off pulled up in home straight
well off the pace in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off 7th, pulled up in home straight
Conor Ring gave On Call a positive ride here last month and his mount found plenty in the closing stages. He should again beat Smuggler's Blues but might struggle to follow up off 5lb higher. ECEPARTI was a bit disappointing last season but starts off the new campaign on a potentially-lenient mark and there have been signs that his yard is starting to click into gear. Ballybreen is a real mudlark but usually needs a couple of runs to put him straight while the going may be too testing for Cushuish. Galileo Silver still looks too high in the weights but Frisco Bay is not out of this and veteran Dark Flame also has a squeak.
Galileo Silver (IRE) 18-5 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 4th before 10th, gained a place 4 out, dropped to 4th again on long run before 2 out, 4th of 10, 35l behind Diligent (12-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Smuggler's Blues (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Held up in mid-division, headway 11th, 5th 5 out, no impression, well beaten 3 out, 7th of 13, 26 1/2l behind On Call (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Eceparti (FR) 15-8fav (11-6) Prominent on inside, mistake 7th, not fluent 11th, ridden after 14th, no extra in 4th from 2 out, 4th of 8, 21l behind Grange Ranger (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Frisco Bay (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Pressed winner, jumped left 4th, lost 2nd after 14th, every chance 3 out, held 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Sizing Cusimano (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Dr Kananga 2-1 (12-0) Made all, unchallenged, won at Hexham 3m mdn (4) sft in May beating Matts Commission (12-0) by 26l, 10 ran.
Dark Flame (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden to chase leader after 4 out, close up 3 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out but could not match winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Schnabel (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
On Call (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Made virtually all, driven after 5 out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Huntsmans Jog (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Ballybreen (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-13) Led, not fluent 6th, jumped right 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, rallied flat but could not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Don Herbager (11-1) at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Cushuish 9-4fav (10-11) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, soon switched right, mistake 2 out, 3rd and held from last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sandy Boy (11-9) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Primal Focus (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, mistake 13th, well beaten 4 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Sizing Cusimano (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Newlands Cross (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went handy 4th, slow next, mistake and driven 4 out, 5 lengths 2nd last, hard ridden flat, closed inside final 75 yards, led last strides, won at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Sandford Castle (11-2) by nk, 10 ran.
