tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well to assert flat
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last
held up in touch towards rear, headway 6th, not fluent next, went close 2nd going well 2 out, shaken up approaching last, ridden flat, no impression on winner, stayed on
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before next
held up in touch towards rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, ridden and outpaced by leaders when hit 2 out, well held when taking 3rd last
took keen hold, pressed leader until after 4th, lost place next, tailed off
held up in last, outpaced 6th, behind next, tailed off
A cracking contest and a test that FINGAL BAY is expected to pass with flying colours. Philip Hobbs looks to have a potential star on his hands judged by the way his five-year-old quickened away from Barbatos and a decent field in a similar contest at Cheltenham last month. Sizing Symphony may provide the biggest threat as he's won his last three starts over timber, though probably needs to step up again on his defeat of Bold Addition at Cheltenham. Simonsig was an easy winner at Ascot and Jump City likewise at Exeter. The latter's win has already been franked and he's one to follow this season, whatever happens today, but the mare The Strawberry One may find this too tough returning from a break.
Fingal Bay (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, good jump to lead 4 out, blundered 2 out, driven between last 2, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov beating Barbatos (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jump City (FR) 4-9fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 4th, jumped right 3 out, ran on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Hayjack (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Simonsig 1-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leading pair after 4th, joined leaders on bit 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Brass Tax (10-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
Sizing Symphony (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, jumped slightly right, led 3 out, kept on well flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gf in Oct beating Bold Addition (11-6) by 7l, 5 ran.
Barbatos (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, chased winner between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Fingal Bay (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Coral Point (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 7, 48l behind Oscar Sunset (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
The Strawberry One 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, led narrowly flat, headed post, 2nd of 14, shd behind Westlin' Winds (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Jul.
