mid-division, headway 7f out, led on bit just over 1f out, shaken up, ran on well
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leader, led over 12f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous
held up, headway over 3f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 1f out
ran out, held up in rear, hung badly right 10f out and refused to race
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 12f out, remained prominent, led over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, dropped rear over 4f out
held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, headway when not clear runner switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
prominent, went 2nd over 4f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A pin-sticker's race this to an extent, with so many debutants, but we'll side with experience and select BORN TO PERFORM ahead of Gibraltar Star and Oh No Not Harry. Alan Swinbank's runner lived up to his name when winning first time out at Huntingdon last month (a rare foray there for the trainer). It was pretty much a steering job for Brian Hughes, who comes here today for just this one ride. Jonjo O'Neill's pair have both seen a track before, with Gibraltar Star having two runs including a second on debut while Oh No Not Harry was just out of the frame first time out. He's from a decent line, being a half brother to chase and hurdles winner Arturio. He¿s entitled to come on for his first outing. Any of the six debutants could spring a surprise and any market support should be noted, but we'll be happy to side with Born To Perform.
Born To Perform 4-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 5f out, led on bit final furlong, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Hopeand (10-1) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Direct Approach (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, no impression straight, 12th of 17, 45l behind Seldom Fed (11-0) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo nhf gd in Jul.
Gibraltar Star (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Prominent, took closer order halfway, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 7l behind Switched Off (10-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Master Alfredo Alflora gelding out of Frosty Mistress.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) Moscow Society gelding out of Kristina's Lady.
Samram Samraan gelding out of Antonias Melody.
Isitcozimcool (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance when hanging right over 1f out, slightly hampered approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Born To Perform (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Louis Ludwig (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up, chased leader over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Elsafeer (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Oh No Not Harry (FR) 4-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 5f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 15l behind Bellvano (11-6) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb.
Thornton George 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 9th of 14, 40l behind Ballybriggan (10-13) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Basford Wayfarer Kayf Tara filly out of Circumnavigate.
Marina's Ocean Beat All filly out of Ocean Song.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Feb beating Barron Watlass (11-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rumbling Thunder (IRE) Tamayaz gelding out of Crossdrumrosie.
