tracked front pair virtually throughout, effort when pecked 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression in clear 3rd from last
held up mostly in 4th, close up 13th, mistake 5 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, weakened 2 out
made most, clear 4 out to 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well from last
held up towards rear, close up 13th, outpaced 5 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 3 out
pressed winner until outpaced before 4 out, rallied and effort when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held from last
held up in rear, close up 13th, outpaced before 4 out, soon ridden, modest 4th from next
Silver Tassie is on a long losing run but would have won here in January had he not unseated his rider at the last. Viva Steve has switched stables since the spring but should be winning when he's dropped a few pounds. Presenting Junior can't get much lower in the weights and, like Back To Bracka and Bernardelli, is a previous course winner. So is BALLYBEN and Malcolm Jefferson's easy Carlisle winner can run the finish out of today's rivals, despite a 9lb hike in the ratings.
Bernardelli (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6 out, weakened next, pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) In rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind No Duffer (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Viva Steve (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until hit 5th and lost place, towards rear, rallied 11th, chased leaders 3 out, driven and one pace between last two, no extra run-in, 5th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Junction Fourteen (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Back To Bracka (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, led, headed before 11th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 4, 27 1/2l behind Mountain King (11-11) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Ballyben (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) In touch, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Harry The Viking (11-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Presenting Junior (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch, ridden and headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Indian Temple (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
