tracked leader, challenged over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out to over 1f out, well held final furlong
led, set slow pace, driven 3f out, headed inside final 2f, soon ridden, 3rd and beaten final furlong
tracked front pair, challenged on inside over 3f out, led inside final 2f, ridden clear final furlong, stayed on well
held up in last pair, close up halfway, driven and outpaced well over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off
held up in last pair, close up halfway, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out
Brian Hughes and Richard Johnson go head-to-head again in this closing bumper. The former’s mount CASTLE RUSHEN beat the latter’s Democratic Oath a little under six lengths here in January. The margin could have been greater and the form should be confirmed, despite revised terms. Midnight Legacy easily won a Loughrea point in the autumn and could be a useful recruit while Max Appeal is a half-brother to a winning hurdler/chaser but Roussimoff was beaten a distance at Doncaster.
Castle Rushen (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Held up in last pair, closer halfway, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to assert entering final furlong, won at Ayr 2m (5) hvy in Jan beating Get Rich Die Plyin (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Democratic Oath (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up last, plugged on in modest 6th 4f out, ridden and went 3rd final 2f, plugged on, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Castle Rushen (11-5) at Ayr 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
Max Appeal (IRE) Kayf Tara gelding out of Clairefontaine.
Roussimoff (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, dist behind Adrimel (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f (5) sft in Feb.
Midnight Legacy (IRE) 5-4 (11-11) Rcd 3rd, 4th 1/2way, prog in 3rd aftr 3out, ld aftr 2out & gng best aft 2out, 6l adv bef last, kow flat, cosily, won at Loughrea 3m mdn sft in Oct beating Lady Violet (11-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
