took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 75 yards, never able to challenge
led 1f, tracked leader until over 5f out, chased winner, no impression when hung badly left over 1f out, lost 2nd final 75 yards
tracked leaders, weakened inside final 2f
led 1f, tracked leader until 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, weakened inside final 3f, hung left from well over 1f out
took keen hold, tracking leaders on inside, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up last, rapid headway to lead over 5f out, clear 2f out, ran on well
This is run on the all-weather track and THE POODLE FAKER, who is by the sprinter Pastoral Pursuits, should be better suited by the surface than most and his latest run at Ascot puts him in the driver's seat. Maid Of MIlan has a conventional jumping pedigree and went for £22,000 after finishing runner-up in a point-to-point at Curraheen in May. Romanee Vivant was a 100/1 chance when mid-division in a similar race here a fortnight ago but Royal Plaza, well beaten at Down Royal in May, has a smart pedigree and has joined Alan King. Trans Express should do better when sent over hurdles, a remark that also applies to the newcomer Westerbee though the latter's yard have a decent strike-rate in bumpers.
Royal Plaza 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Glacial Drift (11-0) at Down Royal 2m gd in May.
The Poodle Faker 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Cultivator (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Trans Express (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, outpaced when in view 3f out, no impression after, 6th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Mac Gregory (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Maid Of Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Trkd ldr in 2nd, ld aftr 5th, 2 1/2l adv bef 3out, red adv bef last, no ex flat & hdd last strides, 2nd of 10, hd behind Treaty Girl (11-4) at Curraheen 3m mdn gs in May.
Romanee Vivant 100-1 (10-10) Midfield, under pressure over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Unbuckled (11-3) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Nov.
Westerbee (IRE) Westerner filly out of Pass The Honey.