in touch, tracked leader from 2nd, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, no impression with clear pair before last
led in start, held up in rear, headway to track front pair 3rd, hit 3 out, led going well next, ridden and stayed on well from last
led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held in clear 2nd flat
held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, never on terms, well beaten in 4th when eased flat
chased leader to 2nd, in touch, behind and struggling from 4th, tailed off 3 out
CLIFFSIDE PARK will likely be a short price for this seller as he’s already won three times in this grade this year and none of his rivals arrive in any sort of form. Friendship Bay was only fifth in this last year and isn’t getting any younger while Akula was only seventh two years ago. Ninepointsixthree has been chasing and was showing little over hurdles before that.
Cliffside Park (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Held up in touch, challenged and hit 2 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f (5) sft in Dec beating Minstrel Royal (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ninepointsixthree 5-1 (11-0) Led in start, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, pushed along in 5th on long run after 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Celtic Flames (10-10) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Akula (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Led when jumped left, bumped rival and unseated 1st, at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Friendship Bay 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Knocknamona (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Exit To Freedom 33-1 (10-3) Keen, pressed winner until ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled before next, at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
