in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged left final furlong, stayed on
taken to post early, switched left start, held up in rear, switched right approaching 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong nearest finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
raced wide, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen, tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on but unable to quicken inside final furlong
went right start, held up in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
Eight declared, three with a rating over 60, so (top-rated) Tiger¿s Rocket is selected to land the seller at the main expense of Rub Of The Relic and Coole Dodger. The last named has never raced on turf, so it would be a guess to say he will definitely cope with the ground. His sire, Where Or When, had a preference for a faster surface, so he is hard to recommend as a solid option ¿ even at this level. Rub Of The Relic has been placed nine times from twelve starts and at least has a consistent profile. Paul Blockley¿s charge does have the annoying habit of downing tools when the pressure is applied, though. And Stephen Donohoe has his work cut out in kidding this fellow along. Still, he has proved to be effective at a slightly better level and is very much respected here. Another worth a mention is Secret Meaning, who won a similar race at Southwell last time out. This is a bit tougher and he needs everything to go his way. Therefore, we turn to Tiger¿s Rocket as the one we hope will turn on the style today. His trainer, Richard Hannon, does not run many in selling grade on turf at this time of year, so the move is noted with interest. Ostensibly used to keep the yard tickling over during the All Weather season, Tiger¿s Rocket has held his own in better company and he is fancied to have the gumption to outwit this modest bunch of rivals.
Tiger's Rocket (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-5) Mid-division, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, not trouble winner, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Bridge of Fermoy (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
Coole Dodger (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Started slowly, took keen hold towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 7l behind Elizabeth Swann (8-12) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol in Mar.
Hero Heart 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Hawa Khana (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Mad Man Will (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Close up, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Lowry's Art (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Mar.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, lost 2nd well over 1f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Maxwil (9-0) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Oct.
Secret Meaning 5-2jt-fav (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, stayed on to lead last 75 yards, won at Southwell 1m 3yo sll (6) fbs in Mar beating Dickie Valentine (8-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
Zeffirelli 25-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden after 3f, lost place halfway, edged left 2f out, kept on under strong pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Boundless Prospect (9-12) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Mar.
Una Auroraborealis 50-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 13th of 17, 9l behind Carrickmacross (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
