held up, hit 5th, ridden before 7th, no chance from next
held up, blundered 3rd, struggling and well behind from 8th, 5th and no chance when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped right and weakened 4 out, jumped right next, 6th and no chance when pulled up before 2 out
fluent, tracked leaders to 3rd, remained in 3rd after, left 2nd 8th, challenged on inside well before 2 out, driven to lead approaching last, stayed on well
held up, steady headway into 4th when hampered 8th, effort soon after 3 out, ridden to no response next, soon eased when no chance
pulled hard, headway to track leader 4th, 2nd when fell 8th
held up, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off next
led at good pace, hit 7th, joined on bend well before 2 out, driven and headed approaching last, no extra flat
Idole First gets the vote Nycteos and Medison rating the main dangers. The selection was given a very tender introduction to chasing when a never nearer sixth behind Green Tango last time out. She is sure to have learnt from the experience and if she is given a more forceful ride she will be hard to beat. Nycteos rates the main danger on his latest third behind Brooklyn Breeze. That form has since been franked and in receipt of the weight for age allowance he will not be far away. Medison was the bets of these over hurdles and was a fair second behind My World last time out. His yard are now beginning to hit form and it would not be the biggest surprise if he returned to his best. Of the remainder Handy Money is sure to have been well schooled for this his chasing debut and is another that could go well but in a race where the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Idole First.
Corrib Drift (USA) 6-1 (10-11) In touch, chased leading pair 3 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Roznic (11-9) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Grouse Moor (USA) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 8, 33l behind Handy Money (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Handy Money 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan, 20 ran.
Idole First (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, struggling from 10th, 6th of 14, well behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Medison (FR) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up, headway 8th, challenged last, every chance run-in, found little, 2nd of 5, nk behind My World (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always behind, 7th of 11, well behind Kayceecee (11-2) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Top Dog (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, always in rear, 9th of 10, well behind Senorita Rumbalita (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Nycteos (FR) 5-1jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leader, joined leader 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from last, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct.
Lewis Island (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Pulled hard in rear, smooth headway from 3 out, shaken up from 2 out, stayed on strongly, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Lorient Express (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
