chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, no extra closing stages
led after 2f, driven when pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up towards rear, headway when hung left over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
always in rear, weakened halfway, tailed off
led 2f, remained prominent, every chance from 2f out, weakening when short of room inside final furlong
took keen hold tracking leaders, weakened well over 1f out
The Olympus Man proved unsuited to the Fibresand at Southwell last time but had gone close at Kempton earlier. Ertidaad attempts 7f for the first time after a well beaten third at the same track but ILLUSIVE FORCE has more scope than both of the above. The latter has not raced since a modest debut effort at Salisbury in July but this greater test of stamina should be to his liking. Master Of Irony is a half-brother to five winners including the smart Captain Cat and makes more appeal than fellow newcomer Rockfast and the so far disappointing Peterhouse.
Angels Above (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Difficult loading and edgy in stalls, took keen hold, tracking leaders on inside, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and not quicken well over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 15l behind Greatest Hits (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol.
Ertidaad (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division on inside, ridden and went 4th 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Wentworth Falls (9-5) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Nov.
Illusive Force (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, driven 2f out, switched left and chased leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 10, 3l behind Plymouth Sound (9-5) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Master Of Irony (IRE) Makfi gelding out of Mother Of Pearl.
Peterhouse (USA) 20-1 (9-5) Slow into stride raced wide towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 11, 11l behind Awesome Power (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Rockfast Fastnet Rock gelding out of Empress Anna.
Sir Veillance 250-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 41l behind Todegica (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) in Sep.
The Olympus Man 6-1 (9-7) Prominent, led 3f out, soon ridden, driven and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 8l behind Offshore (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Woofie (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Biting Bullets (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) in Nov.
