disputed lead, led after 2f, headed 10f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway halfway, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong
disputed lead for 2f, tracked leader, effort over 3f out, not pace to challenge
held up towards rear, good headway to lead over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
pulled hard in touch, led 10f out, headed 6f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, no extra
A wide open bumper rounds off the card and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the principals look to be Fassaroe, Blistering and Edgebury with the confident vote going to Fassaroe. The selection was a fair seventh behind Mad Max in a grade 2 contest last time out, this represents a big drop ion class and he need only run up to that mark to win here. Blistering rates the main danger on his latest win over Andrew Nick but this looks a much stronger race and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Edgebury is another that could go well as he is a Overbury gelding, brother to winning hurdler Edgeover and his stable can ready a newcommer so he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder The Portonion is another that catchesd the eye on breeding and could go well at a price but Fassaroe sets a fair standard and he will be hard to beat.
Blistering (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, driven over 5f out, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan beating Andrew Nick (10-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Fassaroe 17-2 (11-7) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden to dispute 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 30l behind Mad Max (11-7) at Newbury 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Astrop Road Kayf Tara gelding out of flat and hurdles winner Lady Confess.
Desert Stag Desert Prince gelding, half-brother to 1m4f winner Still Dreaming.
Edgebury Overbury gelding, brother to winning hurdler Edgeover.
Fruity O'Rooney Kahyasi gelding, half-brother to flat and hurdles winner Heart.
Mole In One Pyramus gelding out of winning miler Smooth Flight.
Return of The King Nashwan gelding, brother to top-class 1m2f winner One So Wonderful, related to several winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
The Stroker Overbury gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Irish Guard.
The Portonion (IRE) Accordion gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers.
Trireme (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, shaken up and stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 3l behind Spanish Cruise (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
