tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, no impression
held up towards rear, effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, every chance approaching 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on
with winner, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
made all, ridden over 3f out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent until ran out when lost place after 6f
It is difficult to know what Oscar Gogo achieved when making a winning debut in a Kelso bumper in May and while Howard Johnson's gelding has to be respected he may struggle to give weight away all round and preference is for Le Platino, who gets the vote over Dowd's Destiny. The last mentioned is related to winners and trainer Nicky Richards is more than capable of producing one to win first time out. Similar comments apply to Ferdy Murphy's Supreme Leader gelding Big Burrows, while Castletown Boy has shown ability in a couple of starts and has to be considered. The vote though goes to John Wade's Le Platino who ran a race full of promise at Newcastle earlier this month and he is taken to have learned from that and open his account today.
Oscar Gogo (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, edged and effort over 1f out, stayed to lead near finish, won at Kelso 2m nhf (5) gf in May beating All For The Cause (11-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Also Jo Cloudings gelding out of winning miler/hurdler Forgotten Empress.
Ballycolin 25-1 (10-11) Raced in poor 4th, closer order but dropped to 5th from 3f out, kept on without threatening from under 2f out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Chateau d'Eau (11-4) at Down Royal 2m nhf gd.
Big Burrows (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of winning hurdler/bumper Bula Vogue.
Cadoudalas (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up, ran wide and hung right on bend over 3f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 20l behind Hello You (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Castletown Boy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, no extra final 2f, 7th of 14, 9l behind Oscar Gogo (10-9) at Kelso 2m nhf (5) gf in May.
Do It For Dalkey Silver Patriarch gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers This Thyne and Dalkeys Lad.
Dowd's Destiny (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Carry The Card and chaser Storm Valley.
Jubilee Flight Missed Flight gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Northern Minster.
Killyglen (IRE) Presenting gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Le Platino (GER) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Charlie Crab (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gf.
Waterski 100-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden over 6f out and soon weakened, 9th of 12, 17l behind Evelith Echo (11-6) at Ayr 2m nhf (4) gf in Apr.