behind, headway over 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on and always held
led, headed 3 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression
close up, led 3 out, pushed along before and hit 2 out, kept on well from last
tracked leaders, wandered before 4th, tailed off from 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leader, reminder and not fluent 5th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out
held up in touch, pushed along after 5th, weakened from 3 out
An interesting little opener with Tim Vaughan's Irish import Ultimate Horseman, a winner bumper for Gordon Elliott and placed in six of his seven races over hurdles, certain to be fancied despite having his first start since August. KILRONAN CASTLE (NAP) had shown potential before landing a Carlisle conditionals' handicap comfortably for which he escapes a penalty. He's only five so there should be plenty more to come and he gets the nod. Film Director was just touched off here last March and again at Market Rasen in October and it won't be long before he's winning and though it was very heavy ground when Orchard Park won his bumper at Bangor there's no reason to believe slightly better conditions won't suit.
Film Director (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader to after 3rd, remained in touch, effort when went right last, soon ridden, ran on flat, gaining towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Adrakhan (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Kilronan Castle 9-2cfav (11-9) Tracked leader, driven to lead 2 out, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Wake Your Dreams (11-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Orchard Park (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, looked held 2f out, stayed on well final 100 yards, led towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f (6) hvy in Mar beating The Pierre Lark (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
Our Reward (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, hard ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 36 3/4l behind Matchaway (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Raymond Reddington (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led, jumped big 2nd and next, headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 3, 15l behind Lake View Lad (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Apr.
Ultimate Horseman (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led from 4th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching next, dropped to moderate 4th last, no impression, 4th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Kilclispeen (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn gd in Aug.
Little Bruce (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Close up, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Eastview Boy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
