took keen hold early, tracked leaders, jinked right bend over 12f out, led on bit 3f out, clear over 1f out, easily
mostly tracked leader until ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
led until 3f out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, wanting to hang left from over 3f out, soon challenging winner, no impression over 1f out
held up in last, ridden 8f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
Carrying penalties to victory in this sphere is notoriously difficult but SAFRAN DE COTTE could be up to doing it, in the process getting the better of Wood Yer and Ballinasloe in a relatively weak contest. There are two strong reasons for siding with Henry Daly's runner; firstly that his winning form looks strong with the second having done well over timber and secondly that he showed a liking for these conditions when winning on debut. The yard aren't famed for first time up winners in this sphere either so there could be a deal more to come from this promising individual who looks to have been found another good opportunity. Wood Yer weakened having travelled well to a point on his first run and the fact that Paddy Brennan takes over from David England suggests better is expected here. That is likely, but the ground will be altogether worse at Haydock and he still has a little to prove despite that relatively promising debut effort so can be taken on, especially as with his connections the price offered is unlikely to represent value. Ballinasloe is the most interesting of the two newcomers, hailing as he does from a yard that do well in this type of race. He's related to a number of reasonable performers including some who act with cut, so if the market were to make the right noises it may pay to take note. On balance though he may have to wait to gain his first success as many of his relatives improved with time. Vin De Roy showed very little on his debut and this grey will need to improve to score, whilst newcomer Annie Moyles makes very little appeal on this occasion. In a race that should concern just three, the winning form of Safran De Cotte is enough to see him get the vote.
Safran De Cotte (FR) 5-1 (10-1) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, soon outpaced, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Feb beating Mac Aeda (11-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ballinasloe (IRE) Lord Of Appeal gelding out of Kilmana.
Vin De Roy (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden and reminders 7f out, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Life Long (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Wood Yer (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leader and clear to halfway, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 16l behind Sprinter Sacre (10-9) at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) gs in Feb.
Annie Moyles Makbul filly out of So Generous.
