in touch, effort on outside over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, hard driven over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
led, driven when challenged from well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, switched right to challenge approaching final furlong, ran on to lead closing stages
Pactolus looks high enough in the weights now but has finished in front of Calling Out the last twice now and also beat Kyllachy Gala when scoring at Wolverhampton back in November. The latter has subsequently gone close with Mythical Madness back in fourth and Marco Botti’s charge looks to have strong claims but Ay Ay has a tough task in this grade. EASY TIGER (NAP) is another upped in class but was having his first start over 1m2f when successful here last time and Malcolm Saunders’ charge may well be capable of better still over today’s trip raised only 2lb.
Calling Out (FR) 8-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on inside when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, soon switched back left, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 4th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Victory Bond (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Pactolus (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Led and set steady pace, quickened 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, outpaced and no chance with easy winner, lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Victory Bond (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Kyllachy Gala 5-1 (9-4) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Mount Tahan (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Mythical Madness 11-4 (9-7) Awkwardly away in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Humbert (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Easy Tiger 7-1 (8-10) Made all ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Eltezam (8-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Ay Ay (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 3 3/4l behind General Hazard (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
