close 3rd on inside and bit keen, led going well inside final 2f, clear when shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in 5th, looking for room over 2f out, not clear run and switched right 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace when in the clear
held up in rear, headway out wide over 1f out, went 2nd and stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
pushed along to lead, headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong
held up in last trio, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
wore hood to post, raced keenly in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden chasing winner inside final 2f until inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
BERKSHIRE ROCCO (NAP) returned to something like his best when landing a conditions race at Southwell and another bold bid is anticipated having beaten Rainbow Dreamer on that occasion. The latter has won this twice in the past while Sleeping Lion was successful in last year’s renewal but found Earlofthecotswolds too good at the All-Weather Championships when last in action. The Twiston-Davies charge was well beaten by the selection last month while Earl Of Tyrone is a Listed winner in Ireland debuting for the Haggas yard though carries a 3lb penalty. The remaining trio all have something to find on these terms.
Earl Of Tyrone (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders in 7th, ridden in 7th 3f out, weakened, 18th of 30, 13 1/4l behind Waterville (8-9) at Curragh 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Aced It (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Mid-division, switched right and headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Blazeon Five (9-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Berkshire Rocco (FR) 3-1 (9-7) In touch, good headway to track leaders entering final 3f, led 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 2m stks (2) pol in Jan beating Rainbow Dreamer (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Earlofthecotswolds (FR) 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along to join leader 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Berkshire Rocco (9-7) at Southwell 2m stks (2) pol in Jan.
Metier (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly and mistake 4th, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 4 out, lost ground and no chance after, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Rainbow Dreamer 9-4fav (9-7) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Berkshire Rocco (9-7) at Southwell 2m stks (2) pol in Jan.
Sleeping Lion (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Chased leader after 2f, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Earlofthecotswolds (9-5) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Apr.
Solent Gateway (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Pressed leader and keen, led over 2f out, ridden stayed on well and in command inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Barenboim (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
