raced on inside throughout, tracked leader, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in
tracked leading pair on inside until 3rd, hit 5th blundered next, 3rd again 12th until next, regained 3rd before 2 out, one pace and no chance with 1st 2
raced wide, held up in 4th place, tracked leading pair 3rd, not fluent 8th, lost 3rd 12th, 3rd again next, shaken up before 3 out, found nil and weakened before next
jumped boldly, led, hit 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden between last 2, kept on towards finish, always held
Just the four runner but an interesting contest, though Good Man Pat would need to improve again on his victory at Plumpton. BAGS GROOVE is uncomplicated and beat Secret Investor nine lengths at Wincanton in the autumn. The latter is 5lb better off today but has since been made to look very one-paced at Warwick and may not be capable of turning the tables. Castafiore sprang a surprise in a Haydock Grade 2 last time and is clearly a useful mare but Paul O’Brien will be unable to claim again in this.
Bags Groove (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Close up, lost place 11th. outpaced from 4 out, 5th of 7, 36 1/2l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-0) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Good Man Pat (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Bit keen, tracked leader, 1 length down and travelling strongly when left in lead and hampered 2 out, shaken up and kept on well run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating All Currencies (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Secret Investor 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 11th, headway on outside 12th, led 3 out, headed before mistake last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Ok Corral (11-0) at Warwick 3m lst (1) gd in Jan.
Castafiore (USA) 28-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led narrowly after 9th, headed 5 out, regained lead before next, hard pressed 3 out, drew clear after last, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan beating Jerrysback (11-0) by 5l, 5 ran.
