tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
raced wide close up, pushed along 8th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
tracked leader until ridden 3 out, weakened next
always in rear
close up, led 3 out, ridden and ran on
led, mistake 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened flat
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace
CASABLANCA MIX (NAP) has plenty going for her in the day’s feature. This is her time of year and she goes well fresh. Nicky Henderson’s talented mare boasts a good strike-rate and won a Listed race over course and distance off today’s mark in 2019. Francky Du Berlais has already won three times this season and holds verdicts over both Captain Tommy and Senior Citizen, though the latter had excuses at Haydock in the spring and will appreciate this better ground. Gortroe Joe, second here last month, will ensure there is a strong pace while Red Risk is 3lb lower than when third in this last year. Mr Muldoon also remains unexposed but looks a shade high in the weights at present.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, closed from 9th, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Jul beating Exelerator Express (11-0) by 7 1/2l, 16 ran.
Casablanca Mix (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Led, headed narrowly before 10th, ridden before 4 out, impeded by faller 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 27 1/4l behind Annie Mc (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Red Risk (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed next, led after 8th, headed 11th, lost 2nd and weakened before 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Mr Muldoon (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, ridden before 4 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 22 1/4l behind Espoir De Teillee (11-7) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Due Reward (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon prominent and disputed, led and disputed from 3rd, headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened before next, 14th of 20, dist behind Abbey Magic (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Senior Citizen 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, blundered badly and lost place 4th, closed next, outpaced when jumped left 4 out, mistake and well held next, went left last, 4th of 5, 13 1/2l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-11) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in May.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Soon led, headed 3rd, led 10th, ridden before last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Buster Thomas (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Captain Tommy (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 4 out until approaching last, held flat, kept on, 3rd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Francky Du Berlais (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Guy (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Soon towards rear, hit 2nd, steady headway on inside after 8th, chased leaders after next, pushed along and one pace in 3rd before 3 out, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind My Way (11-1) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
