always prominent, with leader, every chance over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, headway halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out
held up rear, ridden and headway over 5f out, kept on one pace from 2f out
held up in rear, headway on inside 5f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, soon mid-division, headway 5f out, weakened 2f out
soon behind and struggling, tailed off final 10f
always in touch, led briefly over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up mid-divsion, headway over 5f out, soon weakened
keen and led, headed and weakened over 5f out, tailed off
soon prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened well over 6f out, tailed off
held up, headway 10f out, led 5f out to over over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
keen and prominent, ridden and outpaced 5f out, rallied to lead 3f out, wandered under pressure 2f out, kept on well
A wide open bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these types of events the market will be all important but the principals look to be Dark Corner,Ice Melted and Topamendip and the tentative vote is given to Dark Corner. The selection was a fair fourth on his debut behind Burnt Oak. He is sure to have learnt from the experience and with the step up in trip sure to suit he looks the one to be on. Ice Melted rates the main danger as he hails from a top yard which does well in this sphere and this Old Vic gelding out of a mare who ran only twice should be noted in the market. Topamendip is another worthy of respect as he is Topanoora gelding out of a maiden pointer but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Of the remainder Sky Mack was a fair third behind Wind Instrument last time and is another that is sure to improve but in a race where the market will prove all important for the winner we return to Burnt Oak.
Captain Marlon (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 18l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Ice Melted (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a mare who ran only twice.
Sky Mack (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway on inside 4f out, soon ridden and no chance with front two, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Topamendip (IRE) Topanoora gelding out of a maiden pointer.
Overamorous 16-1 (10-11) In touch and raced wide, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 12, 37l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Auburn Grey 80-1 (10-7) Behind most of way, 9th of 17, 30l behind Pressgang (11-0) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gs.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) Lute Antique gelding out of Margot des Fieffes.
Dark Corner 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Burnt Oak (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 4f nhf lst (1) gs.