tracked leading pair, left in lead after 5th, narrowly headed when blundered 7th, chased winner after, pushed along before 3 out, 4 lengths down and driven last, rallied well as winner idled flat, just held
led until pulled up and dismounted soon after 5th
tracked leader, challenged 5th, 2nd when pecked 6th, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 9th (5 out), soon in rear and pulled up
took keen hold early, last pair, went 2nd at 6th, led before next, going strongly approaching 3 out, 4 lengths clear last, idled flat, held on
held up in last pair, 3rd at 5th, chased leading pair 4 out, ridden and mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
Conditions are coming right for Digital Media, and he should be very effective over this trip and from a mark just 2lbs higher than his only chasing success, but we will give another chance to SAGALYRIQUE. Alan King's charge won an Auteuil hurdle on soft ground in 2008 and was trying to overcome a lengthy absence when making his debut for the Barbury Castle yard at Exeter last month. He failed to sparkle that day, but softer ground and this drop back in trip on a much less testing track may well suit, and he looks sure to improve for the run. With the stable going well enough we will side with him. Philip Hobbs saddles Baseball Ted, who is suited by conditions and trip, but he has become a victim of his own consistency. He is 16lbs above his last success, which came at Ascot 11 months ago, courtesy of that win plus some good efforts in defeat. He could improve for a recent reappearance run, and while he is no rag, the handicapper does look to have his measure. Prince De Marais remains a maiden after 13 starts. He acts with cut but it is hard to say what is his best trip and this may happen bit too quickly for him. Sagalyrique is the suggestion here.
Sagalyrique (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on inside after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Dovedale (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 5 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 25l behind Green Belt Elite (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Chased winner, not fluent 2nd, mistakes 10th and 11th, lost 2nd and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 10, 44l behind Midnight Haze (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Only Dreams (IRE) 33-1 (12-5) Led 9-13; wknd 2 out, 6th of 11, 48l behind More Trouble (12-5) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in May.
Digital Media (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, stumbled 3rd, went 3rd 9th, not fluent 11th, disputing 2nd 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Fighting Chance (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (4) sft.
