led 1st, headed before 4th, led 5th, headed next, led again when mistake 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat
always handy, led 4 out, headed 2 out, led again before last, clear flat, stayed on well
in rear, went 6th after 4 out, no impression, weakened before 3 out
raced freely, led until 1st, led before 4th, headed next, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, well beaten from 4 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 4 out, 3rd and held from 3 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway before 4th, not fluent next, close up 4 out, no extra before 2 out
behind, slow 1st, stayed on from 3 out, never involved, closing on 4th towards finish
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, well beaten approaching 3 out
chased leaders on inside, outpaced before 3 out, well held 4th 2 out
Blakeney Point took a big step forward when edging out Voix Du Reve over track and trip last month with a subsequent Grade 2 winner in fourth. Donald McCain also runs Dear Sire, who has won twice this season and goes well here. Newtown Boy won a jumpers’ bumper last month but probably needs further while Locker Room Talk’s recent wins have come over fences and he’s changed stables. Christopher Wood had a length-and-a-half to spare over TORIGNI last time at Kempton but Harry Whittington’s charge didn’t get the best of runs and, on better terms, can reverse the form. The going may be too soft for Ashington while Never Do Nothing also has an entry today at Leopardstown.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, prominent, led 2nd, headed before 4th, not fluent 4 out, led after 2 out, headed last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Blakeney Point (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, closed on outside 4th, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Cadzand (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dear Sire (FR) 15-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, smooth headway travelling strongly over 2f out, eased into narrow lead inside final furlong, ridden and soon joined, beaten on nod, 2nd of 13, shd behind Wise Eagle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Locker Room Talk (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Jumped well, made all, ridden and joined from 2 out, ran on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Crooks Peak (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Never Do Nothing (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Soon disputed lead, headed after 3rd and raced in 3rd, dropped to 5th from 5th, headway again approaching 3 out, soon pushed along, no impression approaching 2 out and mistake, weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Call Me Lyreen (11-4) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Torigni (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, close up when hit 2 out, 3rd and held last, kept on, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Cadzand (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Newtown Boy (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Prominent, led travelling strongly turning for home, ridden over 2f out, narrow advantage entering final furlong, stayed on strongly close home, won at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan beating Swaffham Bulbeck (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Blakeney Point 22-1 (10-6) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 2 out, led last, idled and driven flat, held on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Voix Du Reve (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Ashington 5-4fav (11-10) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out where hampered slightly by loose horse, no extra, 5th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Mick Maestro (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Glan Y Gors (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, keen behind leaders over 3f out, travelled strongly and led narrowly 2f out, ridden and weakened when headed over 1f out, 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Proschema (11-10) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Feb.
