jumped right, made most until 10th, struggling when mistake 4 out, landed awkwardly and well beaten from 3 out
chased leader, challenged 6th, led next, soon headed, hit 9th, jumped right and dived at 10th, jumped right 11th, led next, drew clear from 4 out, stayed on well
never going that well in last, mistake 4th, reminder after 9th and 10th, behind 11th, pulled up before 12th
PROTEKTORAT couldn’t cope with Messire Des Obeaux in the Grade 2 Dipper at Wincanton last month but the third has won easily since and Dan Skelton’s exciting novice should get back on track here if he lasts home. Empire Steel hasn’t done a lot wrong in a couple of chase starts at Ayr and won’t be stopping in the closing stages while Port Of Mars appreciated the step up in trip when scoring at Hereford.
Protektorat (FR) 1-2fav (11-3) Tracked leader, narrowly led 5th, pushed along 13th, outpaced after 4 out, went second before 2 out, kept on after last but no match for easy winner, 2nd of 3, 4 3/4l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Empire Steel (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Prominent, close up 13th, not fluent 4 out, led briefly before 2 out, upsides last, stayed on but could not match winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Hear No Evil (11-4) at Ayr 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Port Of Mars (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, soon led, ridden clear before last, stayed on, won at Hereford 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Milanford (11-2) by 10l, 4 ran.
