held up in rear, headway on outside to 4th over 3f out, ridden and one pace and no impression from over 2f out
tracked leading pair until pushed along over 3f out, soon one pace
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 4f out, weakened under pressure 3f out
held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, soon driven and beaten
held up in last pair, pushed along 5f out, headway to 3rd over 3f out, switched left 2f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner approaching final furlong, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
tracked leader, ridden and hung left over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left and joined inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to assert towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no extra in 3rd
Massena is without a win over hurdles and ran five times without success on the Flat in France. He makes most appeal of the older horses but it could pay to concentrate on the unexposed three-year-olds. It looks pretty tight between them as Battalion finished a couple of lengths ahead of Revise when fifth at Chester on his debut and Bomber Thorn, a half-brother to smart stayer Brown Panther, went close over track and trip on his introduction. By rights, the latter should confirm running with fourth-placed SLEEPING GIANT, but the latter is expected to improve as he learns to settle and we could see a much better effort from the Dalakhani colt in this.
Fair Loch 7-1 (10-0) Started very slowly, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon hung left, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Bold Sniper (8-11) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in May.
Massena (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 16, 11l behind Fellini (9-2) at Nancy(FR) 1m 4f stk sft in Sep '10.
Sammyman 14-1 (9-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd inside final 5f, ridden and well held 2f out, soon lost 2nd and dropped to 4th, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 12l behind Da Do Run Run (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Yes Daddy (IRE) 11-8 (10-11) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Godwit (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Bomber Thorn 13-2 (8-11) Dwelt in touch towards rear, switched right 2f out, effort entering final furlong, edged left and stayed on to press winner near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Continuum (10-0) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Federal Blue (USA) 8-1 (8-4) In rear and green, soon pushed along, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 16l behind Magical Kingdom (8-4) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Sleeping Giant (GER) 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Continuum (10-0) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Battalion (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division on inside, not clear run on inner and switched right inside final 2f, switched left over 1f out, ridden disputing well held 3rd final furlong until outpaced to 5th in closing stages, 5th of 12, 6l behind Space Ship (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (3) gf in May.
Revise (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) In touch in 5th on inside, pushed along and not quicken over 2f out, no further progress, 7th of 12, 8l behind Space Ship (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (3) gf in May.
