disputed 2nd until pushed along over 3f out, soon lost touch
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
keen disputed 2nd until ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide keen, disputed 2nd, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely to lead final strides
raced wide, close up in 5th, headway to track leaders 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed final strides
Ted‘s Gift was engaged in the 3.40 Ludlow yesterday. It’s too soon to give up on Ballyvango but CASUAL OBSERVER cost £55,000 having already shown ability between the flags so could be the value against Diamond Koda, who has only found one too good in both runs so far. Absolute Steel is a half-brother to two winners so is also worth a market check.
Absolute Steel (IRE) Mount Nelson gelding out of Massini Rose.
Ballyvango (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, soon steadied mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, some late minor headway, 7th of 15, 22 1/2l behind The Kemble Brewery (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gs in Oct.
Casual Observer (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Ld, mstk 9th, disp ld 1/2way, wo agn 4out, 1l adv 2out, hdd bef last & no ex, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Jeroboam Machin (11-11) at Durrow 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
Dark Mix Black Sam Bellamy gelding out of Chicklemix.
Diamond Koda (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in touch in rear on outside, headway 13f out, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right entering final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Touquet (11-2) at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Ted's Gift 17-2 (10-9) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, no impression on winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Olivers Travels (11-0) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Jun.
