led, pressed 2 out, driven approaching last, headed flat, held close home
held up towards rear, went well beaten 4th before 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair
chased leader until mistake 4th, went 2nd again before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, stayed on
chased leaders on outside, took keen hold, went 2nd from 4th until before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
behind, well beaten when mistake 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, raced keenly, lost place after 5th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, jumped left 1st, slow and in rear 4th, closed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd towards finish
A few of these are suggesting they are going the right way and SPLINTER, a decent second to the useful Byzantine Empire, is one who looks ready to strike. He is just given the nod over Ibbenburen, who put two non-completions in the pointing sphere behind him with a promising Stratford effort under Rules on his stable debut for Donald McCain. Fontana Ellissi's Ludlow win in the early spring was a useful effort and the Sinndar gelding has every chance, despite his penalty, and should be suited by the drop in trip. October Storm, a triple winner on the Flat for Mick Channon, has a first start since March last year but My Rockstar should improve for a set of hurdles.
Fontana Ellissi (FR) 9-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, slow 4th, went 2nd briefly before 7th where not fluent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 26 3/4l behind Kilmington Rose (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jun.
Hillview (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, headed before 7th, lost place next, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten, last of 8, dist behind Calagogo (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gd in Jul.
Ibbenburen (GER) 13-2 (11-4) Midfield, 3rd when pushed after 2 out, ridden turning for home, went 2nd before last, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Our Colossus (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn (4) gd in Jul.
My Rockstar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Raced keenly and kept wide, chased leaders in 4th, pushed along and outpaced home turn, plugged on but never any chance with winner, 4th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Pick Up The Pieces (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Jun.
Twice The Mustard 300-1 (11-0) Mid-division, behind 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Byzantine Empire (11-3) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Balzac 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader 2nd until 4th, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Herbiers (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Splinter 22-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until after 2nd, mid-division, went 3rd 3 out, went 2nd and stayed on before last, not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Byzantine Empire (11-3) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
October Storm 14-1 (10-4) Keen tracked leaders, led 10f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Oleg (9-13) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
