mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, every chance run-in, no extra towards finish
close up, weakened 7th
held up in rear, headway 7th, every chance 2 out, mistake last, weakened run-in
led, headed approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, blundered last, stayed on to lead near finish
in touch, ridden 3 out, outpaced after next
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced, 4 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed near finish, no extra
in touch, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, weakened 7th
Basilea Star can keep up Ferdy Murphy's recent run at the expense of Russian Sky, Harrovian and Alice's Old Rose. Basilea Star got the better of Russian Sky at the last meeting here, outbattling his rival on the run-in. The dual Irish point-to-point winner was well ridden by Keith Mercer that day, and although Russian Sky is slightly better off for the half-length that separated them, Ferdy's runner has more scope and is taken to improve again to score before being sent over fences eventually. Of the rest, Harrovian makes some appeal but his fitness has to be taken trust, while Alice's Old Rose was beaten in an inferior race to this last time. Classical Ben has his fair share of weight, and so Basilea Star is the pick.
