mid-division, driven along after 6th, headway after next, one pace from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden when hit 6th, weakened next
always behind
in touch, headway 6th, led 3 out, clear when blundered last, ridden out
in touch, close 4th after 7th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last
mid-division, effort after 7th, one pace from next
always towards rear
led until 3rd, prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 7th, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent until 6th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 5th until approaching 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, went prominent and not fluent 6th, weakened after next, tailed off
mid-division until weakened quickly and pulled up after 4th
Modest fare and a chance is taken that Pantherus represents better value than The Castilian and Thunder Child, who are respected as they both come here on the back of last time out successes. Thunder Child sprang a surprise when winning here eight days ago but needs to conclusively prove that was not just a flash in the pan. The ground is in his favour but his profile does suggest that he is not one in whom to place too much faith. The same has to be said of The Castilian, who took an eternity to get off the mark over timber. A 7lb higher mark and top weight conspire against him this afternoon and, even though the combination of a tongue-tie and visor seems to have brought about improvement, he looks up against it today. Therefore, it can pay to respect Jonjo O¿Neill¿s decision in sending out Pantherus for a quick reappearance and hope that it is a case of striking whilst the iron is hot. Minimum stakes are advised whichever way you play.
The Castilian (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 8th, led on bit approaching last, shaken up and went clear flat, readily, won at Bangor 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd beating Gollinger (9-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
It Happened Out (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Pocket Too (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Tiffin Deano (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 4th, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, 4 lengths clear last, headed final stride, 2nd of 11, hd behind Seymour Weld (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Pantherus (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 28l behind Zacharova (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Greek Star 9-1 (10-6) Held up, behind, never near leaders, 7th of 9, 15l behind Rebel Raider (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Ossmann (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 12th, weakening when stumbling badly 5 out, jumped slowly next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Casalani (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Thunder Child 33-1 (10-5) In touch, headway 4th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied to lead flat, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf beating Smart Tiger (11-9) by a hd, 10 ran.
Shem Dylan (NZ) 11-2 (10-12) In touch when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Nike Walker (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) sft in Feb, 19 ran.
