tracked leader, led 4th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on one pace
led, headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened flat
always towards rear, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace
close up, pushed along 5th, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway 2 out, ridden and no impression after
keen early, in rear, headway 3 out, every chance last, led flat, ridden out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead approaching next, headed flat, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
Serious Ego shaped nicely on his reappearance at Ayr but a strike-rate of 1-20 is off-putting. Carlisle runner-up Nefyn Point looks a better bet than stablemate Tawseef but Imperial Acolyte’s fortunes took a turn for the better at the end of last year with a win at Ffos Las following a second at Southwell. A drop in distance is negated by conditions but FEARLESS (NAP) looked set to resume winning ways when falling at the third last at Ayr last time and races off the same mark here. A clear round can see the top weight gain compensation with Fergus Gregory’s claim a plus.
Fearless (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led, narrow advantage when blundered and unseated 3 out, at Ayr 2m 3f (4) hvy in Nov.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 14-1 (11-13) Led narrowly, headed before 2nd, blundered badly 4th, ridden and dropped to rear 3 out, lost touch 2 out, no impression, 9th of 11, dist behind Sarasota Star (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Jayaaah (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, shaken up after 3 out, lost position 2 out, kept on steadily into modest fourth but no match for front trio, 4th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Bareback Jack (11-8) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Imperial Acolyte 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, led before 4 out, came well clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Rufio (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ruacana 50-1 (10-0) Hit 1st, off the pace in 3rd, weakened after 3 out, no chance when hit next, 7th of 9, dist behind Guard Your Dreams (10-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Poucor 40-1 (11-3) Midfield, headway to chase leaders passing bypassed 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Percy Pops (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Serious Ego (GER) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders travelling strongly 3 out, ridden and close up last, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Calivigny (11-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Tawseef (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In leading pair, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Toi Storey (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Crackdeloust (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside weakened and mistake 2 out, 7th of 14, 25 3/4l behind Cash Again (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Nefyn Point 10-1 (11-4) In rear, rapid headway travelling strongly before 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, almost upsides under pressure last, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Applaus (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
