tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd approaching and hit 4 out, led last, went clear run -in, stayed on well
off the pace in last trio, never involved
held up off the pace in last trio, never involved
off the pace in 5th, dived at 4 out, weakened next
tracked leader who soon went clear, closer before 4th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, chased leaders, ridden and no extra run-in
off the pace in 4th, mistake 4 out, weakened after next
led and raced keenly, soon clear, reduced lead before 4th, ridden between last two, mistake and headed last, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd close home
held up off the pace in last trio, headway chasing leaders and pushed along 3 out, mistake next, driven and stayed on run-in, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
Recent Newton Abbot third Opening Bid was well beaten off this mark at Uttoxeter in May and Ashoka finished tailed off back over hurdles at Carlisle. In common when many of his stable companions, FIRST QUEST (NAP) has been in fine form and should record a third victory in four starts having escaped a penalty for an easy win in a conditionals’ race at Wincanton 12 days ago. Made For You may need to drop a few pounds and has only won on right-handed tracks so far while Fred Bear has already had limitations exposed but Mercutio Rock has only had three career starts to date and has plenty of scope.
Opening Bid 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, left behind by front pair well before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Skatman (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Made For You 5-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, shaken up after 4 out, already weakened and last when not fluent and stumbled badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ashoka (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden before 2 out, weakened tamely before last, last of 9, 34l behind Quinta Do Mar (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Living's Boy An Co (FR) 50-1 (12-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 27 3/4l behind The Cathal Don (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 1f Yielding in Jul.
First Quest (USA) 6-1 (11-3) Made all, jumped well, eased clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Sufi (10-8) by 7l, 7 ran.
Mercutio Rock (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, shaken up 3 out, dropped to fourth at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 12, 12l behind No Risk Des Flos (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Fred Bear (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Mistake at 1st, joined and tracked leader at 2nd, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, weakened, 6th of 11, 28 1/2l behind Impulsive One (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Nazwa (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along after 4th, some late headway but always behind, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Magistrato (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
