held up in touch and keen, mistake 6th, ridden before 3 out, one pace, weakened from last
led, ridden and headed before last, just held on for 2nd place post, no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden to lead and jumped left last, soon clear
towards rear, effort and weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace, just held for 2nd place post
always towards rear
Four times a winner on the Flat in Ireland, SONG OF THE SKY has placed in all three starts since joining Charlie Mann in August. Two of those placed efforts came over fences at Stratford and having run well back over hurdles last time, she looks set to make a bold bid in this. The remainder all debut over the larger obstacles though Espion De Saflo won in heavy going over hurdles when trained in France and the same comment applies to Elisezmoi. Gregarious and Super Snipe should be sharper for recent outings and the latter has his first start after wind surgery as does Sunday At Augusta.
Espion De Saflo (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Held up, took keen hold, mistake 5th, headway next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Skandiburg (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Elisezmoi (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Edgy and pulled hard, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 5th until after 3 out, 3rd and tired when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Apr.
Song Of The Sky 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, went 2nd and not fluent last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sweet Adare (11-10) at Stratford 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Super Snipe 18-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 8th, 10th of 11, 25 1/2l behind Eva's Oskar (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Gregarious (IRE) 7-1 (12-3) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, behind 6th, effort on outside before 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 18 1/4l behind Karakoram (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sunday At Augusta (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 18, dist behind Cilaos Glace (11-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr.