mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
towards rear, tailed off over 4f out and virtually pulled up
tracked leaders, weakened halfway, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden and headway over 6f out to chase leaders, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden and chased winner over 3f out, no extra final furlong
behind and raced green, ridden over 3f out, some late headway
The first of two bumpers should fall to the Nicky Richards trained New Lodge, Border Fox and Al Falcon could be the ones to fill the places. The selection caused a few burnt fingers when finishing third on his debut here earlier this month. He was well touted all day and went off an odds on favourite. He obviously has ability and with improvement to come he should be capable of landing the spoils this afternoon. Border Fox has been placed in two decent enough races and hails from a yard that does very well in this sphere. Meanwhile Al Falcon has claims on his debut run last March, but you have to ignore his only effort since when well beaten on heavy ground. The pick of the newcomers should be the Howard Johnson trained Come On Pops, but on this occasion we will side with experience and plump for New Lodge.
Al Falcon 5-2fav (11-0) Held up, weakened over 5f out, 9th of 11, well behind Super Nick (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
Rourke Star 17-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 12, 24l behind Wolds Way (10-12) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gd in Nov '05.
Solway Bay Cloudings gelding, half-brother to winning sprinters Fontaine Lady & Apple Of His Eye.
The Social Drinker Tipsy Creek gelding, half-brother to 1m2f & 1m4f winner Sudden Impulse.
Rosebank (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway and prominent halfway, weakened quickly 4f out, last of 11, well behind Kealshore Boy (10-7) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Border Fox 6-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway over 3f out, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Wipe Your Eye (10-5) at Newcastle 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Come On Pops (IRE) Sonus gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Ding Dang Do Diktat gelding out of 5f winner Twilight Sonnet.
New Lodge 4-6fav (10-8) Mid-division, smooth headway over 6f out to track leaders, headway and challenged 2f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Panthera Leo (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd.
Tap End Slip Anchor gelding out of winning miler Tapas En Bal.
