chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, driven out
always towards rear, pushed along 4th, quickly weakened and pulled up after next
in touch, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
held up towards rear, struggling from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, outpaced approaching 5th, headway from 3 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
led, clear approaching 5th, headed after 2 out, one pace
held up and keen, swerved right and unseated rider 3rd
held up and keen, weakened from 5th
in touch, weakening when blundered 3 out
GOLDEN TOKYO is our idea of the winner though Barashi and Rivington Pike are likely to have their supporters. Although a long standing maiden in Ireland, Golden Tokyo will be making his debut for Peter Bowen. He had exhibited some ability on the flat on testing ground so at the likely odds, we'll take on the more obvious types. Barashi is priced to sell. It's not too often that Graham Wylie has a runner in this grade so that might just tell its own tale. Rivington Pike makes plenty of appeal having placed in a number of early season novice hurdles. If he handles today's going, he is a player. Micky Hammond's horses are running well so the downgraded, Dry Speedfit, who was rated in the high 70's on the flat, is an interesting participant. Former sprinter, Resolute Defender, cut little ice on his National Hunt debut. Que Beauty is one to note in the market. A poor contest where Golden Tokyo is the pick in a race that won't live too long in the memory.
Barashi 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined winner 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 33l behind Banquet (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Dry Speedfit (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, outpaced next, no chance when blundered 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Silk Drum (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Golden Tokyo (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led and clear, reduced advantage when very bad mistake and almost unseated rider 2 out, headed and no extra after, 6th of 9, well behind Zarkozy (10-5) at Galway 2m 3yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct.
Resolute Defender (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, 31l behind Gulf Coast (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Rivington Pike (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) With leader, led 4th, hit next, headed approaching 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 24l behind Pemberton (10-9) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Bonny Bright Eyes 50-1 (8-0) Led, headed after 2f and remained in touch until weakened over 3f, last of 14, 23l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Born To Frill 66-1 (8-9) Soon behind, last of 9, well behind Persian Sea (8-12) at Newcastle 7f mdn fll (5) gs in Jun (Flat).
Invincible Rose (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, 4th of 10, 43l behind Theme Catcher (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Que Beauty (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, eased from 2 out, 7th of 13, 40l behind Purely By Chance (10-8) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
