held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and outpaced before next
tracked leaders, led 4th, ridden between last 2, stayed on
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, effort approaching last, kept on under pressure flat
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened next
led to 4th, every chance 3 out, outpaced next
held up in rear, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
If fit enough, Del Trotter can bounce back to beat Direct Descendant and Real Shady. Del Trotter was a winner over fences in his native Ireland and did not waste too much time opening his account over here when scoring at Sedgefield this time last year. He has been confined to hurdles this year but has failed to shine and indeed was beaten in selling company in April. Absent since, he remains one to keep on the right side of when going back over fences, but in the meantime may pop in over hurdles. Direct Descendant is fitter and will be no pushover though. A course and distance winner here in October, he was well held at Stratford subsequently, but seems to be on the upgrade. Real Shady has not impressed at all, while Young Owen can only be described as average, so it would be no surprise if Del Trotter obliged.
