prominent, led 11th, briefly headed before 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, not fluent last, held on close home
jumped right on occasions, held up in last, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out
midfield, hampered by rival 1st, not fluent 8th, mistake 11th, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well for 2nd close home
midfield, jumped left and hampered rival 1st, headway to contest lead 13th, briefly led before 4 out, soon headed and ridden 3 out, plugged on run-in, lost 2nd close home
led, not fluent and headed 11th, ridden before 4 out and tailed off
LORD ROCO (NAP) led at the last at Ayr on his reappearance and chasing debut but made a blunder and was caught on the run-in by the favourite. He looks the one to side with in this. Irish challenger Shantou Lucky has won a beginners’ chase and should be sharper for last month’s outing at Fairyhouse while Son Of The Somme is fitted with cheekpieces today and Malinello has had a wind operation since last in action. Hereford winner Big Difference could only manage second upped in class last time.
Malinello 4-5fav (11-8) Prominent, ridden before hitting 2 out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 15, 8 1/2l behind Flash Collonges (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Jan.
Shantou Lucky (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Towards rear early, mistake 1st, soon improved into mid-division and 7th halfway, impeded 6 out, pushed along from 3 out and ridden in 6th before next where mistake, no impression before last, soon left 4th, 4th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Hurricane Darwin (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Lord Roco 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, closer and pushed along in 3rd before 4 out, led before pecked badly and headed last, stayed on but not recover, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Grand Voyage (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Son Of The Somme (IRE) 5-2jfav (12-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, went 2nd after 4 out until 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 10 1/2l behind Sputnik (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Big Difference (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway to challenge 4 out, weakened and no extra 2 out, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Topofthecotswolds (12-1) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
