prominent, soon 2nd, on terms 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, soon 4th, effort to chase winner and edged left from 1f out, ran on without getting there close home
soon mid-division and raced in 7th, headway and effort straight, one pace final furlong
soon mid-division and raced in 6th, pushed along before straight, weakened over 1f out
led, joined 1 1/2f out, soon headed and no extra final furlong
waited with towards rear, soon raced in 8th, headway straight, slightly impeded inside final furlong, kept on without matching principals
prominent, soon 3rd, switched right 2f out, slightly impeded inside final furlong and kept on same pace
a little slow into stride, waited with towards rear, headway straight, slightly impeded inside final furlong, kept on without matching principals
Several of these are in top form though the hat-trick seeking Joupe is 11lb out of the handicap. Raamez had plenty in hand on just his third start on the track earlier this month so a 7lb rise looks manageable while Zoom Tiger, a winner at Wolverhampton for Andrew Balding, found 1m4f just beyond him last week. Dalvey's recent victory here was over 2m while FREESCAPE's double came over 7f and 1m though the latter has stayed on strongly for both victories and the longer trip should suit. Grandmaster Flash and Bowerman have a touch of quality but the former needs further so it's the latter, who began the year landing a lucrative event in Doha, who could provide the main threat.
In From The Cold (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, closed in 2nd over 3f out, ridden under 2f out, no impression and lost place under 1f out, weakened, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Golden Twilight (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Grandmaster Flash (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, plugged on but never able to challenge, 8th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Nicholas T (8-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Bowerman 10-1 (10-0) Chased leader, moderate 6th halfway, lost place entering straight, ridden and weakened 1 1/2f out, last of 12, 19 1/2l behind Ides Of August (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
Freescape 4-1fav (9-9) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, switched left over 2f out, good headway under 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec beating Akhlaaq (8-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dalvey 11-2 (9-0) Dwelt slightly, soon rear of mid-division, 4th halfway, dropped to 6th 3f out, headway 1 1/2f out, ridden in 2nd under 1f out, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Golden Twilight (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Houesville (FR) 150-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, soon ridden and detached, weakened and eased, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Mighty Blue (10-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp fll sft in Aug.
Raamez (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Soon disputed, chased leader after 2f, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Harriet's Force (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Pachmena (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Rear, 7th halfway, 8th 3f out, effort and progress over 1f out, ridden 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, 6th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Golden Twilight (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Zoom Tiger (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 2nd early straight and pushed along to lead 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, hd behind House Of Kings (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f pol in Dec.
Joupe (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Dwelt slightly and slightly hampered leaving stalls, raced in rear, 14th over 3f out, came wide entering straight, headway and ridden over 1f out, led under 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating No Show (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
