made all, clear before 4 out, unchallenged
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
very slowly away and reluctant to race, always well behind
tracked winner, ridden before 3 out, no impression
There are so many negatives surrounding Astigos that he's impossible to support with any confidence. This trip is short of his best and he's managed just one win in 45 career starts and that was over hurdles. Receiving 17lb plus his rider's claim, we'd rather be with BAWDEN ROCKS who should strip fitter for December's second at Lingfield, his first run for seven months. Cody Wyoming appears to have lost the plot but Formidableopponent did show a bit more last time at Musselburgh.
Astigos (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Early mistakes, soon behind, struggling 9th, never dangerous, 7th of 12, dist behind King's Odyssey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Cody Wyoming 25-1 (11-8) In rear, slow and well behind from 6th, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up after, at Newbury 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on approaching last, no extra in 4th flat, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Chestnut Ben (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Bawden Rocks 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 1st, led after 9th, headed 3 out, stayed on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Pembroke House (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
