CALZAGHE has been found a suitable opportunity to shine and he can do this at the expense of Heredias and Perfect Reward. The handicapper has taken no chances with Jim Best's charge these days but credit has to be given to the handler for making full use of what was an unusually lenient base figure. He did not disgrace himself at Cheltenham in a non-seller and that level of form is streets ahead of this assignment. Heredias has been kept ticking over by George Baker on the level. The trainer is making a name for himself with other's castoffs and any market confidence should not be ignored. Perfect Reward acted on soft ground on the flat and will be making his debut for Gary Moore. His last race in Ireland was a very inauspicious conclusion to his time there. Pacific Bay is modest though ran with credit in two moderate races earlier in the season. Tabaran is capable but is a thorough rogue who keeps plenty of secrets back for himself. It would be hard to see Calzaghe beaten in this sphere so we seek not to oppose him this afternoon.
Calzaghe (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and beaten soon after, 7th of 11, 22l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Perfect Reward 16-1 (11-5) Soon behind, completely tailed off, last of 15, well behind Grand Opera (11-3) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Aug.
Tabaran (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in rear, headway before 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Posh Emily 16-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Captain Smoothy (10-3) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Ibbetson (USA) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, jumped right 1st, ridden approaching 6th, always behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rustic Gold 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bangonform (11-11) at Sligo 2m 1f beg chs in Oct, 15 ran.
Heredias (GER) 16-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 17l behind Acknowledgement (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pacific Bay (IRE) 10-3fav (10-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 25l behind Tesserae (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
