chased leaders on outside, led 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
chased leaders on inside, ridden after 4 out, mistake and weakened next
pressed leader, pushed along before 6th, beaten after 4 out, weakened before next
held up in touch in rear, raced keenly, switched to outside after 8th, closed next, led 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably
jumped slightly right, led, just headed when fell 4 out
Ut Majeur Aulmes hasn’t done much wrong since returning from his summer break and is now only pound higher than for his last win. A drop back to 2m isn’t going to inconvenience the headstrong Space Oddity and he’ll take some catching if getting into a rhythm around here but it must be significant that Brian Hughes is keeping his partnership with KAUTO RIKO intact. Tom Gretton’s novice jumped well and travelled strongly when making a winning start over fences at Newcastle and should have plenty more to offer. Mr Fitzroy has ability but is hard to catch right and while Sandy Beach has slipped to an attractive mark he’s been racing over further.
Space Oddity (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Chased leader, hit 12th, lost 2nd before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened next, 7th of 8, 20l behind Oldgrangewood (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leading pair, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd and held flat, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Mixboy (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Sandy Beach 8-1 (11-3) Led until 6th, lost place 10th, well beaten from 4 out, 7th of 10, 25 1/4l behind Wicked Willy (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Kauto Riko (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Settled in rear early, took closer order after 3rd, led just after 3 out, left clear at last, ran on well (1 fence omitted), won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Applaus (11-8) by 8l, 5 ran.
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, no extra and lost 3rd place from last, 4th of 6, 30 1/2l behind Potters Story (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
