held up in touch on inside, challenged 4 out until after 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch on outside, closed 7th, led 4 out, pressed last, ridden and stayed on well flat
held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, every chance last, soon hung left, no impression towards finish
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, lost place before 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
led until slow 1st, prominent, lost place before 4th, not fluent and last next, mistake and behind 7th, pulled up before next
prominent, led after 2nd, headed after next, led before 4th, not fluent 7th, soon headed, weakened before 3 out
led 1st, headed after 2nd, led after next, headed before 4th, led after 7th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, blundered badly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Winning pointer ESCARIA TEN improved when stepped up to 3m at Cork on his second start under Rules. There should be plenty more to come and he’s fancied to give Gordon Elliott a quick double. Empire Steel trounced the one-paced Skiddaw Tara by 12 lengths at Carlisle and is fancied to confirm the form, despite worse terms. Western Aussie has shaped as though a longer trip wouldn’t come amiss at Wetherby and a step up should also suit Hexham maiden winner Calle Malva.
Empire Steel (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, left in narrow lead final circuit, pushed along entering straight, soon clear, ridden out on extended run-in, kept on (all flights in home straight omitted, low sun), won at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Skiddaw Tara (11-2) by 12l, 7 ran.
Escaria Ten (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd travelling well early straight and pushed along to lead approaching last, headed early run-in, soon ridden and kept on well to regain lead closing stages, won at Cork 3m mdn sft in Jan beating Atlantic Shore (11-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Portstorm 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, some headway after 4 out, driven and stayed to take modest 3rd after last, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 10, 12 1/2l behind Marown (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Skiddaw Tara 11-10fav (11-2) Mid-division, left tracking front pair final circuit, went 2nd 2 out (usual 4 out), driven into straight, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Empire Steel (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
St Basil 100-1 (10-12) Pressed leader until mistake and dropped to mid-division 1st, not fluent after, behind from 4th, lost touch after 4 out, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Western Aussie (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Young Bull (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Calle Malva (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Prominent until before 2nd, chased leaders, lost ground on front pair 6th, closed after 2 out, went 2nd off last bend, led flat, stayed on, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Kauto D'Amour (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
