tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, 2nd over 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace
soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, started off in last pair on outside, soon in touch, led going well 3f out, clear 1f out, easily
led early, chased leader, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, some headway 8f out, went 4th 2f out, no impression
held up in mid-division, struggling 10f out, tailed off final 7f
towards rear, behind 8f out, tailed off
Portrush Ted has a hard race at Ascot in November and was pulled up on a return visit last month, albeit in Listed company - he may be worth opposing here under a penalty. Blue Flight couldn’t match the finishing speed of Dramatic Pause at Chepstow but was clear of the third and will likely make a bold bid to recoup losses. James Bowen is a jockey to have on your side in a race like this and he’s been snapped up by Rebecca Curtis for LOCKER ROOM TALK. His mount is a half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Carnspindle and cost £135,000 after finishing second in an Irish point last year. Brewin'upastorm is a point-to-point winner and looks the pick of the remainder.
Portrush Ted (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outside, lost place rapidly and pulled up 6f out, at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
Blue Flight (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead after 3f, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Dramatic Pause (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chsd ldrs, 6th 1/2way, gd prog to ld on inner aft 2out, sn qcknd clr, easily, won at Quakerstown 3m mdn gd in Apr beating Stop The World (11-11) by 8l, 14 ran.
Just Call Me Blue (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 19 1/2l behind Kingsplace (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Locker Room Talk (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Rr, prog running free frm 4th, ld frm 5th, 12l adv 1/2way, hdd bef 2out, 4l 2nd & no ch with wnr last, so flat, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Stay Humble (11-11) at Ballynoe 3m mdn gs in Apr.
Loud As Lions (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, tracked leaders on inside, weakened inside final 3f, 13th of 15, 37 1/4l behind Nestor Park (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Golden Esther (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, dist behind Strong Glance (10-12) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Nov.
Stravinskys Flame 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Queenohearts (10-12) at Towcester 2m (5) gs in Dec.
The Toojumpa 33-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in touch, weakened over 4f out, 12th of 14, dist behind Queenohearts (10-12) at Towcester 2m (5) gs in Dec.