made all, ridden flat, held on
held up in 3rd on outside, not fluent 2nd, effort 4 out, went 2nd last, switched left flat, stayed on, just held
chased winner, pushed along after 4 out, lost 2nd last, hung right flat, no extra towards finish
jumped right and not always fluent, raced in last, hit 7th, mistake 13th, well beaten after 2 out, eased flat
Irish raider Rexem seems to have taken well to fences and wouldn’t need to find much further improvement to beat his three rivals in this. Petrastar won at Perth in June but was beaten off a lower mark at that track last month. Inishbiggle was second at Uttoxeter last time but is the most exposed of these over the larger obstacles. SURE TOUCH is making his chasing bow but boasts a solid career strike-rate and goes well fresh so can come out on top.
Rexem (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Led, headed 7th, headway to dispute lead again at last, ridden entering straight and headed 1f out, no impression on winner and kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Calico (10-9) at Galway 2m 2f sft in Sep.
Sure Touch 2-1 (12-0) Midfield, went third 6th, lost place after next, headway after 3 out, went second 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well flat, headed final 50yds, 2nd of 6, hd behind Balkotic (10-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Inishbiggle (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) In touch in mid-division, hit 9th, headway 4 out, left disputing lead just after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Creative Control (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Petrastar 13-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway and left in 3 length 3rd 3 out, keeping on when repeatedly hampered by loose horse on run to 2 out, ridden run-in and kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Wasdell Dundalk (10-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) sft in Sep.
