with leaders on inside, led narrowly after 5th, drew clear approaching 2 out, pushed out, easily
made most to after 5th, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader, disputed lead from 2nd, lost place approaching 6th, 4th and outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd between last 2, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, headway on outside to challenge approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, soon outpaced, lost 2nd between last 2
A moderate event of its type and BARREL OF FUN is the call ahead of Foxtrot Charlie and Highland River. Jim Best's charge was a regular over 1m2f in Ireland with Dermot Weld but went through the sales relatively cheaply at Doncaster versus his original purchase price of 200 000 guineas. This isn't a strong affair and he is likely to act on the surface. Foxtrot Charlie won off a mark of 65 at Lingfield on the flat. He did not impress with his jumping on debut and will need to have been extensively reschooled since. Highland River will be the benchmark figure for the assessor. Well beaten in two recent starts under this code, he was similarly well turned over in a recent outing on the flat. Kheylide hasn't been seen out since October. Whether this sprinter will be effective over the minimum trip at this discipline is another matter. Golden Games wasn't completely straight forward when trained by John Dunlop. The trip should not really be an issue and if there is any money for her, it could be worth following. Barrel Of Fun has the most positives in this bunch and is therefore the selection.
Barrel Of Fun (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight, 11th of 18, 27l behind Cross Appeal (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Foxtrot Charlie 10-1 (10-7) Always in rear, under pressure after 3rd, tailed off 5th, pulled up before last, in a race won by You're So Vain (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
Highland River 12-1 (10-7) Led 1st, tracked leaders until lost place 6th, 6th of 9, well behind Conquisto (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gd in Mar.
Kheylide (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bertie Southstreet (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Golden Games (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until blundered and almost unseated rider, lost place 5th, rallied and close up when blundered again 3 out, weakened after, 5th of 6, 22l behind Megasue (10-12) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
