raced keenly, led, hit 2nd, headed and weakened rapidly after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 3rd after 3 out, close 2nd and hit 2 out, ridden and hung left between last 2, led run-in, hung left headed and no extra final 100 yards
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd briefly 4th, 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, joined when reached and awkward last, narrowly headed run-in, rallied gamely to lead again final 100 yards
tracked leader, jumped slowly and lost 2nd briefly 4th, led after 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before next, weakened
chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden and outpaced in 4th before 2 out
raced keenly in last pair, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor
always in rear, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, tailed off
The four-year-old Pyramid Place has shown improved form in handicaps but has done nothing to suggest he is capable of holding his own in this grade. Mackenberg has had limitations exposed since winning at Carlisle in October, though did land a jumpers’ bumper earlier this month. Calico was easy to back at Ludlow but won easily. However, the form doesn’t look that strong and Atholl Street has won twice at Taunton. Something was clearly amiss with CAPE GENTLEMAN when he was pulled up in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown at the start of the month. He gets another chance in this though Lunar Sovereign is 2-2 over timber and hails from a yard that can do little wrong at present.
Atholl Street (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Made all, led, never pressured, well clear at the last and eased down for an easy win, won at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Heart Of A Lion (10-12) by 16l, 12 ran.
Calico (GER) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, going well behind leaders when not much room and switched left before 2 out, led approaching last, shaken up to assert and edged left flat, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating The Grey Falco (11-10) by 4 1/4l, 13 ran.
Cape Gentleman (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, pushed along and no impression in 10th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, behind and pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Lunar Sovereign (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Pressed leader, led after 1st, headed 3rd, led again before 3 out, soon headed, switched right after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, led before last, ridden clear flat, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Jack Sharp (11-4) by 4 3/4l, 18 ran.
Mackenberg (GER) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, rapid headway to lead entering final furlong, drifted to far rail but stayed on strongly close home, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb beating Hitman Fred (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Son Of Red (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, effort after 2 out, every chance before last, lost 2nd flat, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 11 3/4l behind Adagio (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Pyramid Place (IRE) Evensfav (10-0) Held up in rear, headway into midfield 4th, not fluent 5th, pushed to chase leader 3 out, close up 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Catterick 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Maskada (11-11) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
