tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, hit 3 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on flat, no impression
led at decent pace, hit 12th and 4 out, headed before 2 out, lost 2nd soon after and weakened
took keen hold early, settled in last pair, progress to track leaders 10th, blundered 13th, led going well before 2 out, jumped well last, driven and stayed on strongly flat
mistake, held up in last pair, mistake and driven along 8th, went poor 4th 14th until flat
chased leader, hit 7th, lost 2nd 9th, ridden and hit 12th, weakened and hit 4 out, kept on to take poor 4th flat
A fascinating contest in which only The Cool Guy looks up against it. CALGARY BAY is given marginal preference over Tartak but, in truth, it wouldn't surprise to see any of the four win it. Kicks For Free bumped into a good one in The Market Man last time but he didn't convince with the way that he raced and he also hung in the closing stages of the Coral Cup at the Festival so we're prepared to take him on. Kealshore Boy represents connections that are enjoying a purple patch and he did everything required of him at Newcastle but this is a lot tougher so he's next to be struck off. Time may tell that Tartak was attempting the impossible in trying to concede 3lbs to Gone To Lunch at Newbury as the winner goes from strength to strength. The drop back from three miles won't bother him and we pass him over with reluctance. Calgary Bay should have learnt plenty from his chase bow at Doncaster where he lacked the speed to cope with I'msingingtheblues on a flat track. He was the subject of plenty of hype early in his career but rather lost his way in the second half of last season and also has to prove himself over this trip. His handler is known for her patience and he can be expected to improve for his reappearance whilst it was encouraging to see him put his head down and battle at Doncaster. This is quite a big ask but Calgary Bay may prove up to the task.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, not fluent and ridden 11th, hung left from 4 out, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden and hung left, no impression from next, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind The Market Man (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Tartak (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Led, joined 14th, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging, chance last, unable to quicken run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Gone To Lunch (11-6) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 15-8 (10-13) Tracked leader, effort 3 out, challenged last, drifted right and no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
Kealshore Boy 2-1fav (11-2) Held up, headway 5 out, effort when not fluent 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Silver By Nature (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Cool Guy (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) In touch, headway 8th, tracked winner from 14th, held and mistake 2 out, 2nd of 6, 25l behind Gone To Lunch (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
