close up, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair approaching next, weakened flat
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and ran on
not fluent at times, in touch in rear, blundered badly 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on to go a never dangerous 3rd flat
led, ridden and headed 4 out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, chase winner 3 out, ridden next, stayed on towards finish
The Ferry Master has been raised 9lb for winning nicely over today’s trip at Kelso recently while Oscar Robertson scored over a shorter distance at Hereford. Court Dreaming was having his seventh start over fences when successful at Carlisle but it could be the turn of AYE AYE CHARLIE (NAP) today. Fergal O’Brien’s charge was having his first outing after wind surgery when second to the progressive El Presente at Hereford on his comeback and the latter has subsequently boosted the form by winning a Listed contest. Baron De Midleton returned a beaten favourite at Carlisle last time and The Devils Drop makes his chasing debut.
The Devils Drop (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) In rear of midfield, ridden and detached before 2 out, no extra, 14th of 17, dist behind Honest Vic (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
The Ferry Master (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Held up behind leading pair, close up 4th, upsides 4 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, driven passing bypassed last fence, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Millarville (10-13) by 11l, 5 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 6-4 (11-3) Held up in last, closed from 10th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind El Presente (11-13) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Oscar Robertson (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Led 1st until 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place before 5th, remote 6th 3 out, hampered 2 out, rallied before last, switched right flat, stayed on well, led towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Eclair Surf (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Court Dreaming (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) In touch in mid-division, effort before 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, edged right flat, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Pop Rockstar (11-10) by shd, 11 ran.
Baron De Midleton (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up but in touch, pushed along before 4 out, faded before last, 5th of 6, 20l behind Rath An Iuir (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
