led from 2nd, mistake 8th, mistake 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, caught post
tracked leaders, went 2nd, challenged last, ridden flat, led post
led to 2nd, mistake 5th, hit 8th when weakening, tailed off
PIGEON ISLAND really should be good enough to get the better of his two rivals. The Daylami gelding made rapid strides over hurdles a couple of years back but struggled last season with the assessor holding the upper hand. He failed to add to his seven successes in three runs last winter but they all came in top quality races and he was last seen racing from a mark of 140. Regent's Secret raced off 114 when last in action over hurdles whilst Sawyer's Gold has never been shorter than 66-1 in six career starts which accurately reflects his ability. As a result, Pigeon Island will be sent off at a prohibitive price but it seems that he will only need to jump round to win with conditions to his liking.
Pigeon Island 14-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 3rd or 5th, ridden and headed just after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 12, 18l behind Numide (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) sft in Nov.
Regent's Secret (USA) 12-1 (10-3) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22l behind Folk Tune (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Sawyer's Gold 125-1 (11-0) Led to after 3rd, lost place 6th, soon behind, pulled up after 8th, in a race won by Shanballa (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Aug, 8 ran.
