soon led, ridden and headed entering final 3f, chased winner, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led early, tracked leader, shaken up and soon clear over 1f out, comfortable
raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
GABRIAL’S STAR comes out best at the weights and returns to this venue for the first time since winning easily over 2m here last month. Bertie Moon finished a distant second on that occasion and Richard Fahey’s charge can confirm running. The latter and Samtu were both well beaten over track and trip recently while Iniesta has a tough task on these terms though won over hurdles in October.
Samtu (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Dwelt raced wide close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 14 3/4l behind Good Time Ahead (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Bertie Moon 5-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Good Time Ahead (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Gabrial's Star 18-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 21l behind Captain Navarre (9-10) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Iniesta (IRE) 6-5fav (10-10) Led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Royal Beekeeper (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.