held up in 3rd, not fluent 4 out and soon chased clear leader, mistake 3 out and pushed along, ridden and tried to close 2 out, kept on, never on terms with winner
chased clear leader, reminder after 4th, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
refused to race
made all, soon well clear, hit 3rd, not fluent 3 out, pushed along, reduced lead and hit 2 out, ridden run-in, stayed on, unchallenged
Malangen bids to repeat last year’s victory in this though would would prefer the ground to dry out. He finished second here last time when Go Bob Go unseated though the latter won over track and trip last autumn and is only 2lb higher. Petite Rhapsody is another course and distance winner but struggled on softer going subsequently and SHALLOW RIVER is preferred. Fergal O’Brien’s charge has been competing in better company than this and went close when headed in the closing stages at Market Rasen last month.
Shallow River (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, closed before 4th, mistake 3 out, led before 2 out, not fluent and headed last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Kihavah (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Petite Rhapsody (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear on outside, mistake 7th, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Themanintheboots (12-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Go Bob Go (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up in last, clipped the top of the 6th, sprawled on landing and unseated rider, at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Malangen (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Not always fluent, led until before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Bobby Socks (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
