held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on
prominent, took keen hold, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, lost place 10f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off
led, took keen hold, edged left on bend over 9f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch in mid-division, closed 5f out, chased winner 3f out, soon ridden, lost 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
prominent, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, struggling 4f out, never in contention
held up in rear, headway 7f out, lost place 5f out, well held after
This doesn't appear to be an awfully strong race of its type and therefore appears to represent a suitable opportunity for FIRST ROCK to pass the post first. Alan Swinbank's charge is clearly nothing out of the ordinary after three defeats in this sphere (one in a Grade Two) but may still be good enough as he sets the standard and neither Plutonium nor Little Fifi scream debut winner. Thurnham is feared most despite blotting his copybook last time as he shaped quite well when prominent in the market on debut and is probably worth another chance.
Big Sam 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, chased leaders over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, eased, 8th of 11, well behind Noble Scholar (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gf in May.
First Rock (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Rocking Blues (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Plutonium (IRE) Subtle Power gelding out of Mayrich.
Pompan (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, in touch, kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 19l behind Bear's Affair (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Thurnham 9-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 7f out, weakened over 3f out, eased, 13th of 15, well behind Master Murphy (10-9) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs.
Blazing Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 6f out, soon lost place and behind, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Herdsman (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gs in Oct.
Lemon Queen (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, tailed off over 6f out, last of 15, well behind Elegant Touch (10-12) at Haydock 2m N H flat (6) gd.
Little Fifi Karinga Bay mare out of Festival Fancy.
Tobayornottobay 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Elegant Touch (10-12) at Haydock 2m N H flat (6) gd.
