tracked leader. blundered 1st, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out
close up, ridden 3 out, not fluent next, soon weakened
close up, not fluent 1st, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace
keen tracked leaders, every chance from 2 out, ridden to lead towards finish
led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed towards finish
always towards rear, mistake 4th, weakened 3 out
always in rear, weakened 3 out
CASTEL GANDOLFO was having his first outing for Fergal O’Brien when going close at Musselburgh on his hurdling debut. Finishing clear of the rest, he looks the one to beat in the opener. Formerly with Godolphin, State Crown never threatened when third at Ludlow on his hurdling bow but should be in the mix once again. Of those arriving from the Flat, My Macho Man finished runner-up in a seller last month and is rated higher on the level than Sir Charles Punch and Son Of Red though the latter won over 1m4f at Southwell recently.
Castel Gandolfo (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd approaching the last where carried right, every chance run-in, found no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Breguet Boy (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
I'm Easy 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, detached from main group and ridden 3 out, slow 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, dist behind Bannister (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Sep.
My Macho Man (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, nudged along briefly 7f out, pushed along and headway 4f out, chased leader 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Splinter (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 4f stks (5) sft in Oct.
Sir Charles Punch 13-2 (9-8) Held up in touch, ridden and progress over 2f out, reminders and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Zabeel Star (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Son Of Red (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Dwelt in touch, headway 3f out, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, edged left and driven out, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Grand Pianola (8-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
State Crown (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out until 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 13 1/4l behind Talking About You (10-11) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Station To Station 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, never a threat, 10th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Animal Instinct (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Temper Trap 18-1 (10-12) With leader early, mistake 3 out, remained close up, ridden before 2 out, weakened, 6th of 11, 30 3/4l behind Gold Desert (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
