chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened next, mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
with leader, led 3rd, ridden 2 out, fell last
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, left 2nd last, no impression
chased leaders, slightly hampered approaching 3 out, soon ridden, a length and a half down in 2nd when left clear last
held up in touch, pushed along 7th, weakened 3 out
led, mistake and headed 3rd, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next, left poor 3rd last
always behind, reminders after 6th, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, hit 7th when weakening, pulled up before 3 out
Leading Man is given the confident vote here with Sconced and Birdwatch the pair we fear the most. The selection ran well in a better race than this when fourth behind Trisons Star at Ayr last time. He was staying-on strongly at the finish in that race so the step up in trip is in his favour and with conditions to suit he looks the one they all have to beat. Sconced failed to see out this trip last time on this track but it is interesting that his connections have given him another crack at it. We are doubtful that he will stay but if there is any market support then he could be of interest. Birdwatch put in a much-improved effort last time and it is clear that the step-up in trip was key to that. He looks a thorough stayer and he looks to have decent place prospects. Em's Royalty is a consistent sort and is another to consider, but for the winner we return to Leading Man.
Birdwatch 3-1 Held up in touch, ridden after 7th, headway approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Getinbybutonlyjust at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Jan.
Em's Royalty 9-2 Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 21l behind Getinbybutonlyjust at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Jan.
Leading Man (IRE) 9-4jt-fav Held up in touch, ridden 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Trisons Star at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Mckelvey (IRE) 5-1 Mid-division, improved to 6th 5 out, 4th 3 out and kept on, 3rd of 17, 10l behind The Black Tiger at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Roman Rebel 80-1 Held up towards rear, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd flat, held near finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Top The Bill at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (F) gs in Jan.
Roseberry Rose 66-1 Chased leader, weakened over 6f out, tailed off over 2f out, 9th of 10, well behind Malt de Vergy at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gs.
Spot In Time 7-4fav In touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 5th of 11, 26l behind Maryland at Fakenham 2m nhf (H) gd.
