tracked leaders until mistake and unseated rider 12th
waited with in rear, steady on inside headway tracking leaders 14th, challenged on bit 3 out, 2nd next, led approaching last, kept on strongly run-in
jumped left at times, led, hit 4 out and headed, chased leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, weakened 2 out
keen in touch, headway tracking leaders 6th, went 2nd 9th until 12th, close 2nd again 4 out, every chance next and still chance when lost 2nd 2 out, kept on in 3rd run-in
chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until next, chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next
raced wide, held up in last pair, closer before 7th, chased leaders 11th, 2nd next, led 4 out, joined next, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace run-in
chased leaders, lost place slightly 6th, weakened 14th
pressed leader until 8th, lost place next, last and struggling 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
NonRunner
Ballyheigue Bay would have found 2m4f too short on his reappearance but 3m around here may also be sharp enough. Exitas looks in the handicapper’s grip while Springtown Lake tries a new trip and Kilcrea Vale was found wanting upped to 3m at Doncaster last season. Just A Sting is a progressive sort who may have more to offer but there are other recent winners in opposition including Deauville Dancer, successful here last month. WANDRIN STAR has recorded both victories so far at Bangor but he went readily clear last time so a 12lb rise is fully justified. He shouldn’t be far away if as effective going right-handed. Adrien Du Pont has a touch of class but is hard to win with nowadays.
Exitas (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) In touch, headway when pecked 5 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Morney Wing (10-0) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway tracking leaders 7th (water), led travelling well 13th until narrowly headed approaching next, in front again 3 out until approaching next, weakened quickly, 7th of 11, 23 3/4l behind Kapcorse (10-10) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Tended to jump left, led, hit 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden between last 2, headed when not fluent again last, one pace flat, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Mr Whipped (11-2) at Haydock 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
Wandrin Star (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked clear leader, led 13th, clear 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Fleminport (12-0) by 14l, 9 ran.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake next (chair), went 2nd 5th, not fluent 12th (canal turn), stumbled badly 3 out and lost 2nd, 3rd and kept on from elbow, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Warriors Tale (11-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Just A Sting (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) In touch, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led before last, hard pressed run-in, just held on, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Gunfleet (11-7) by hd, 11 ran.
Deauville Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair, went 2nd at 8th, led 4 out, clear before next, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Tommy Silver (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Ballyheigue Bay (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Prominent, jumped right throughout, lost place 8th, soon struggling in rear, weakening when mistake 11th, tailed off, remote 3rd, 3rd of 4, dist behind Jennys Surprise (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, headway on outside 14th, challenged 4 out, soon led, switched right after 2 out, headed last, not clear run flat, switched left and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Beau Du Brizais (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
