awkward start, soon led, clear after 3 out until 2 out, driven out
led early, chased leaders, outpaced after 7th, rallied 2 out, 3rd last, kept on flat, unable to trouble winner
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd or 4th, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd last, unable to trouble winner, stayed on
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd after next until before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in 5th, closed 6th, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, 4th and held last, no extra flat
chased winner after 1st until after 7th, lost place 3 out, soon behind
Calliope rarely runs a bad race and is still on a decent mark but recent course and distance winner DALILEO may just handle today’s conditions better than most. Shane Fenelon takes off a handy 7lb again and Shark Hanlon’s raider can complete the double. Maiden winner Red Missile still has scope and looks a danger while Goa Lil seems to be over the problems which held him back last season so can’t be ignored.
Goa Lil (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, jumped big 1st, outpaced 3 out, rallied flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Haul Away (12-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Red Missile (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, last and ridden after 3 out, rallied to chase leader 2 out, led after last, soon clear, won at Perth 2m mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Kavanaghs Cross (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Dalileo (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, slow 2nd, in touch when not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, drew clear flat, stayed on well, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Piranto (10-0) by 4 1/4l, 5 ran.
No Logic (IRE) 11-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, not fluent 2nd, stumbled after 4th, 7th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and no impression in 7th when mistake last, no extra run-in, 7th of 16, 14 1/4l behind Farrawaybay (11-7) at Galway 2m 5f hcp gd in Sep.
Calliope 4-1jfav (12-2) Mid-division, pushed along well over 2 out, ridden under 2 out, closed before last, took 3rd flat and kept on, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Strong Team (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Hidden Commander (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, nudged along before 5th, struggling from next, 6th of 9, 31 1/2l behind Peltwell (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
