held up, headway halfway, ridden out, pace 3f out, kept on under pressure, final 2f, no impression
chased leaders, reminders halfway, outpaced 3f out
in touch, chased winner halfway, ridden and no impression, final 3f
pulled hard, tracked leader, led after 6f, drew clear over 2f out, unchallenged
held up, outpaced 7f out, never dangerous
raced keenly, led 6f, soon outpaced, weakened halfway, tailed off
held up, lost touch 7f out, never dangerous
A poor turn-out for this bumper and Starting Point is just preferred to Odd Socks and Oshkosh. Alan Swinbank is a master at winning these type of races and Starting Point has shown enough to warrant the vote here. He hasn't been beaten far by some decent types and should find this company less taxing. Odd Socks looks the pick of the two newcomers. The Howard Johnson trained gelding is a well bred son of Zaffaran who cost 85 thousand euros as a four-year-old. Watch the market for any moves on this one. Oshkosh is another to have shown ability, having been placed twice behind the smart Den Of Iniquity, another bold showing is expected. Tinto Verano should prove best of the others, but in a race where the betting will be all important, Starting Point just gets the verdict.
Odd Socks (IRE) Zaffaran gelding out of an unraced mare.
Oshkosh (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden and weakened over 5f out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Den of Iniquity (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Randolf (IRE) Good Thyne gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Starting Point 14-1 (11-0) Led, headed just inside final 4f, hung left 3f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 18, 13l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy in Nov.
Moneylaws (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leader, lost place over 5 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 24l behind Breakwater House (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Silveretta 100-1 (10-9) Held up, behind halfway, tailed off 3f out, last of 11, well behind Tot O'Whiskey (11-9) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Tinto Verano (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 17l behind Flora May (10-6) at Newcastle 2m mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.