tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear from 3 out, easily
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
in touch, led 4th, headed after 4 out, one pace in 3rd
in rear, headway 8th, chased winner from 3 out, kept on and no impression
in touch, weakened from 8th, tailed off, pulled up
led to 4th, chased leaders until weakened after 4 out, pulled up
The once-useful Desert Cry hadn't won for three years before a comprehensive victory at Bangor last month and though he's won off higher marks than this in the past connections won't be happy with a 10lb rise. ISAACSTOWN LAD won four times in 2015 and not surprisingly shot up the weights as a consequence. He's been steadily coming down and made a promising comeback at Bangor in November so is taken to regain the winning thread. Morning Royalty alternates between hurdles and fences and though better over the bigger obstacles can race from a 10lb lower mark back over timber so has to be a threat. Only Orsenfoolsies looked on the way back to form at Doncaster in November but didn't run so well at Wetherby on Boxing Day and though Pistol completed a double on very heavy ground in February he was well beaten into third here last month. Back To Bracka is well handicapped at his best but hasn't shown much for a very long time.
Desert Cry (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear last, kept on, won at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Midnight Shot (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Close up, tracked leader 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Nordic Nymph (10-6) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, switched right after and plenty to do after 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 7 3/4l behind Gino Trail (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Only Orsenfoolsies 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway after 4 out, one pace 2 out, 5th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Agincourt Reef (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Pistol (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced before 5 out, went 3rd from 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Big River (11-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Back To Bracka (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Led until 6th, mistake 3 out, no extra next, 6th of 8, 17l behind Aye Well (10-9) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.