tracked leaders, pushed along 16th, outpaced 5 out, ridden next, rallied approaching 2 out, kept on to chase clear winner at last
close up in rear, tracked leaders 4th, ridden to chase winner 4 out until next, weakened 2 out
prominent until ridden 5 out, soon struggling, pulled up next
prominent, not fluent 5th/6th, led 11th, ridden and headed 5 out, rallied to chase clear winner again 3 out until approaching last, no extra
close up in rear, pushed along 14th, mistake and struggling next, pulled up 4 out
led narrowly until 11th, prominent, led again 5 out, ridden clear 3 out, stayed on
There is no doubt that COLLECTORS ITEM has been improving with experience over fences. He was staying on over 3m at Sandown earlier this month and this longer trip could be the making of him. The six-year-old ran his best race over hurdles here in February when just touched off in a Grade 2. Omar Maretti was pulled up over course and distance earlier in the year when Fortescue finished unplaced and stamina is also an unknown for Robyndzone but Fantastikas has always been viewed as a stayer and the Ludlow runner-up is likely to run here rather than at Newbury, weather permitting. East Street is in good form and will handle the surface so can’t be left out of calculations.
Fortescue 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed 5th, led 8th, jumped right next, headed before 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied from 2 out, pecked last, no impression on winner, 4th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Nassalam (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Omar Maretti (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Handy, dropped away 3 out, 6th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Howlingmadmurdock (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Collectors Item (IRE) 9-2fav (12-0) Chased leaders, lost place and not fluent 6th, closed after 11th, slow and lost place 16th, struggling 3 out, rallied last, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Animal (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Fantastikas (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Pressed leader, ridden and every chance from 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Hidden Heroics (11-11) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
East Street (IRE) 3-1jfav (12-0) Towards rear, pushed along 5 out, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner at last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Court At Slip (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Robyndzone (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, fell 10th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
