raced wide, tracked leader until before 2nd, settled 3rd,went 2nd again soon after 5th, led after 3 out, clear soon after 2 out, stayed on strongly
raced wide, led until ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in 5th, headway to 4th and hit 6th, effort on inner to chase winner bend after 3 out, disputing well, held 2nd when hit last, weakened flat
pulled hard, tracked leader approaching 2nd until 5th, weakened next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up well in rear, mistake 4th, well behind 6th, still plenty to do after 2 out, stayed on well flat, went modest 2nd near finish
tracked leading trio, went 3rd before 6th, mistake 2 out, disputing well, held 2nd soon after, weakened flat and lost modest 2nd near finish
ORZARE is a very nice Gary Moore-trained juvenile who can complete a hat-trick in the opener at the main expense of Evening Sunset. Only three of the seven have racecourse experience and of that trio Orzare looks the clear pick. The Montjeu gelding was a decent stayer on the Flat in France and has begun his career this side of the channel in fine style. First up he ploughed through the Newbury mud for a staying-on win in December, and then he was again tough in following-up at Fontwell a week or so ago. Cut in the ground clearly suits and he can give weight and a beating to all his rivals. Evening Sunset was disappointing at Sandown last time and has been given a break since, but prior to that she had looked smart enough when winning both here and at Fakenham. However she is not yet proven with juice in the ground and so we will take her on today. Celtic Ballad has shown stamina when racing abroad on the level and also handles cut. He will probably have other good days ahead, though with the stable in decent shape a good British debut would be no surprise. Both Uncle Bunge and Taste The Wine would be interesting if backed and the market should be checked out for a better guide to their chances and Orzare is preferred.
Orzare (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Prominent, pressed leader 2nd, led approaching 6th, 4 lenghts clear 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, edged right flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Causeway King (11-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
Evening Sunset (GER) 15-8 (11-1) Led very steady pace and pulled hard, headed approaching 3rd, lost place before 2 out, never a danger after, last of 6, 13l behind Spunk (11-0) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Celtic Ballad (IRE) (8-11) 4th of 15, 8l behind Morar (9-6) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 7f 3yo hcp hvy in Nov (flat).
Rental Roy 66-1 (8-11) Hampered start, keen, mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind Art Fund (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Dec '08 (flat).
Taste The Wine (IRE) 17-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Gargano (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan (flat).
Uncle Bunge (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 7th approaching halfway, soon driven along, headway into 4th 4 out, moderate 2nd next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 17, 20l behind Roseska (10-7) at Clonmel 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Whiterocks 40-1 (8-4) In touch, led 8f out ridden, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 18l behind Isle de Maurice (9-4) at Lingfield 2m Selling Handicap (0-60) (4yo+) (6) pol (flat).
