held up in rear, headway over 5f out, not much room over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, some headway over 5f out, no impression final 4f
prominent, led 9f out, headed 7f out, led 4f out, ran green and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, going well enough over 3f out, ridden and not pace of leaders over 2f out, kept on
in touch in mid-division, dropped away quickly over 5f out
tracked leaders, every chance 3f out, not pace of front pair over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, headed 9f out, led 7f out, headed 4f out, every chance entering final furlong, held final 100 yards
mid-division, closed 12f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, never on terms, lost place over 2f out
Chavez and Firestep represent the Nicholls and Henderson yards respectively with preference for the former on this occasion but this bumper has strength in depth. Auba Me Yang was only third of four here on debut but still ran well. Deep Inferno was quietly fancied at Fontwell and will likely improve and King Ferdinand cost €72,000 and is a half-brother to Saturday’s Aintree winner Canelo among others. SLIP ROAD was fourth in a Listed race at Limerick on his debut under Rules. He hasn’t run for 18 months but is locally-owned and it’s significant that Richard Johnson has hung around to take the ride.
Auba Me Yang (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed narrowly halfway, upsides entering home straight, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, no extra, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Knappers Hill (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Blueberg (IRE) Sageburg gelding out of Swell Sister.
Chavez (IRE) Yeats gelding out of Rock The Baby.
Deep Inferno (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden turning for home, never challenged, 7th of 9, 22l behind Bumpy Johnson (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) sft in Oct.
Floy Joy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Pulled hard early, held up towards rear, headway on inside 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Rabski (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Joe Haze Fight Club gelding out of Evening Haze.
King Ferdinand (IRE) Milan gelding out of Nobody's Darling.
Slip Road (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight and soon ridden, dropped to 4th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Blackhillsofdakota (11-2) at Limerick 2m lst (1) gd in Mar.
Theme Tune (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6f out, not clear run over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 18, 7 1/2l behind Here Comes Mccoy (11-5) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Jan.
The Mighty Arc (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 2l 2nd frm 7th, ld 3out, hdd aftr 2out, sn no impr on 1st 2, ko onepce, 3rd of 12, 10 1/4l behind Rochestown (11-11) at Kildorrery 3m mdn sft in Feb.
Firestep (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Springinherstep.