held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, blundered 5 out, soon ridden, fell 4 out
led, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear and in touch, headway 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, led before and mistake last, kept on and headed towards finish
A tricky start with a couple of relatively unknown chasing quantities in Pique Rock and Stylish Moment. Wishfull Dreaming didn’t show much over fences at the start of last summer and has become difficult to place but Ballasalla has found only one too good in his two runs over the larger obstacles. Utility didn’t take to fences first time around but was better in a conditionals’ race at Newbury last month, though a 4lb rise looks harsh. Daryl Jacob keeps faith with STAGE SUMMIT, even though he didn’t find much off the bridle at Fontwell 11 days ago – Ben Pauling’s charge gets a final chance to come good.
Utility (GER) 12-1 (9-8) Slow into stride and soon pushed along in rear, ridden over 4f out, never nearer, 5th of 7, 16l behind Temur Khan (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Stage Summit (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, led after 9th, 2 lengths ahead last, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Night Of Sin (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Pique Rock Evensfav (11-10) Led, ridden and pressed from 2 out, headed last, soon faded, last of 4, 8 1/2l behind Miss Spent (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Stylish Moment (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Rhythm Is A Dancer (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Wishfull Dreaming 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd when switched inside after 2 out, almost upsides last, soon ridden, kept on and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Zig Zag (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Ballasalla (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led narrowly after 4 out, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, stayed on under pressure in driving finish flat, headed narrowly final strdes, 2nd of 8, nk behind Lucarno Dancer (10-4) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
