jumped left, pressed leader, went left and bumped him 7th, pushed along before 3 out, soon challenging, led and went left next, ridden before last, driven out
tracked leading pair until hit 4th, 3rd again 9th, 2nd soon after 2 out, 2 lengths down when hit last, no impression run-in
led but pressed, went left 1st, bumped 7th, pushed along after 4 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leading trio, went 3rd at 4th until 8th, soon outpaced and lost touch, tailed off
Barring accidents, this looks a straightforward task for NASSALAM. A Grade 2 novice winner in November, he’s fitted with blinkers having just failed to catch the winner over today’s trip at Plumpton and has little to beat in this. Brewers Project and Railway Hurricane have yet threaten over fences and cheekpieces are applied to the former while Menapian has failed to complete over the larger obstacles so far.
Nassalam (FR) 4-5fav (11-4) Tended to jump left, tracked winner until after 6th, handy 3rd, 2nd again 8th, went left and bumped winner 4 out, 4 lengths down and ridden between last two, stayed on run-in, closed on tiring winner, just held, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Jan.
Railway Hurricane (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway into 5th entering straight, jumped left 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 9th of 18, dist behind Handsworth (10-4) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jan.
Brewers Project (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up, ridden 6 out, no headway, pulled up before 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Menapian (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Towards rear, never really travelling, pulled up before 4 out, at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
