tracked leader, switched left to challenge after 2 out, every chance last, no extra closing stages
always in 3rd, slow 15th, outpaced approaching omitted 3 out, weakened next
made all, driven 2 out, strongly challenged last, stayed on gamely (3 fences omitted)
DJIN CONTI won at Southwell on Monday on his favoured soft going. He has a penalty here but is an improving young stayer and may have too much for Kelso winner Fly Rory Fly. Late Date won here in December but has run poorly in both starts since.
Djin Conti (FR) 9-2 (12-1) Held up, headway 9th, went 2nd from 13th, led last, ridden out, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Rollerball Rocco (10-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fly Rory Fly (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Not always fluent, chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, rallied last, challenged flat, led post, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Charlie Snow Angel (10-12) by ns, 5 ran.
Late Date (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led until 10th, mistake 13th, soon under pressure, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 27 1/2l behind Dartford Warbler (10-13) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan.