behind, mistake 8th, struggling next, tailed off 10th, soon pulled up
in touch on inside, driven to dispute 2nd after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th flat
tracked leaders, hit 10th, close up when blundered 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace under pressure before last, no impression with front pair flat
in touch on outside, driven and outpaced 5 out, weakened before 3 out
led, driven 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on, held flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, stayed on well
blundered 2nd, behind, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leader, lost place after 11th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, mistake 8th, outpaced 5 out, never on terms, weakened 3 out
Stellar Notion scored over these fences in 2014 but has struggled since and is looking to regain momentum. Galway Jack is also looking to end a losing run and ran well over 2m2f here last time but BARRAKILLA (NAP) is just preferred. This is easier than his latest task at Sandown and he went close in today's grade at Taunton before that. Opening Batsman landed a double at the start of last year and should be sharper after a couple of starts this season while Gallery Exhibition has failed to complete either side of winning over track and trip in November and remains 6lb higher.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 6th, went 2nd 14th, led 3 out, headed after next, 3rd and beaten last, weakened into 5th towards finish, 5th of 15, 18 1/4l behind The Last Samuri (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Gallery Exhibition (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slow 2nd, under pressure 12th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Barrakilla (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, not much room 1st, shaken up before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on front pair, 4th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Bold Henry (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Stellar Notion (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Chased leader, led after 3rd until next, chased leaders, jumped slowly 7th, hung left from 3 out, poor 7th when pulled up last, at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Galway Jack (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In touch, headway 4 out, every chance next, kept on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Un Beau Roman (11-7) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Roc D'Apsis (FR) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, 6th when blundered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ericht (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Atlantic Roller (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway tracking leaders 8th (water), weakened soon after 13th, tailing off when pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
For Two (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, driven and headway approaching 4 out, mistake 2 out, never a threat, 5th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Double Shuffle (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
