held up towards rear, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up behind, headway before 2 out, kept on from last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before last
towards rear, hit 3rd, effort before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and always held
tracked leaders, ridden before last, kept on towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off
Saryshagann, a winner on the all-weather in November, led for a long way at Musselburgh a couple of weeks ago but was headed on the run-in. This sharp track will suit David O'Meara's grey and he looks better than the stable's Highland Bobby, who was over five lengths behind. Siannes Star ran very well on his handicap debut at Sedgefield though that was back in October while Al Kherb, a dual winner on the Flat for Roger Charlton, made a promising hurdling debut in December but then ran a shocker when heavily supported at Musselburgh. The lightly-raced ACE VENTURA, a winner on the level for Roger Varian, was a 33/1 chance on his hurdling bow at Market Rasen and, though never looking likely to catch the winner, stayed on in the straight and should have come on enough to take this.
Imperial Focus (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Close up, chased leader 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Empire De Maulde (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Saryshagann (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Pulled very hard, jumped left throughout, led 2nd, soon well clear, blundered 4 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Fisher Green (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Siannes Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Iolani (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Ace Ventura 33-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up, headway on inside into 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Praeceps (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Al Kherb 6-4fav (10-12) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next, eased, 5th of 7, dist behind Hannon (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Dagian (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in 5th, headway chasing leaders and not fluent 4th, 2nd on inside 2 out, led before last, headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Groveman (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Highland Bobby 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, stayed on into 4th, never nearer, 4th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Fisher Green (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Catlin 100-1 (10-5) Soon detached in last pair, jinked and went right 2nd, tailed off from halfway, last of 7, dist behind King D'Argent (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) gd in Oct.
