very slowly into stride, in rear, closed to chase leaders approaching halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no extra and one pace from 2f out
led early, prominent, led approaching halfway, soon joined, led from 4f out, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along under 2f out, soon asserted, stayed on well final furlong, easily
close up on inner, soon led, headed approaching halfway, soon on terms again, headed from 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, weakened
chased leaders, pushed along and effort over 2f out, soon edged left and challenged, no extra and one pace over 1f out, just prevailed for 2nd
waited with, not go with leaders from 6f out, no extra straight
a little slow into stride, waited with, headway and ridden to challenge over 2f out, no extra and one pace over 1f out, just denied for 2nd
Willie Mullins has found a fine opportunity for STRATUM (NAP) to return to winning ways. The Dansili gelding has been contesting high-grade handicaps under both codes and this looks a potential confidence-booster on the level. Noble Expression is next best on official figures but is rated some 18lb below the selection. Arthur Moore gives useful hurdler Cap D'Aubois the chance to stretch his legs on the level on a first run for the yard while Rough Terrain and Thosedaysaregone both have victories to their name under NH Rules.
Noble Expression 66-1 (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, closer 4f out, 3rd and pushed along over 2f out, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Downdraft (9-8) at Down Royal 1m 6f lst (1) gd in Jul.
Stratum 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression when mistake last, no extra, 9th of 18, 8 1/4l behind Tudor City (11-0) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Cap D'Aubois (FR) 33-1 (11-3) In rear, pushed along 2nd, pushed along again briefly after 8th, under pressure and no extra from before 3 out where slight mistake, 5th of 6, dist behind Some Neck (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Freetown (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Soon led and went on, reduced lead 4f out, soon headed, kept on without matching principals after, 6th of 18, 16 3/4l behind Buildmeupbuttercup (11-7) at Galway 1m 4f mdn gd in Jul.
Rough Terain (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 13f out, led over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Jun beating Kaymar (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Thosedaysaregone (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Prominent until dropped to rear 4 out, last of 8, 32 3/4l behind Theatrebar (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
