led, not fluent 1st, mistake 3 out, shaken up and 2 lengths ahead when fell 2 out
raced in last and took keen hold, not always fluent, closed 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, left 2nd next
chased leader, not always fluent, shaken up and 2 lengths down when left well clear 2 out
Highway Girl was placed in both bumper runs and may well be capable of making a race of it with MYSTICAL CLOUDS if she takes to hurdles. But Alan King’s Bangor winner should be capable of defying his penalty given he’s from a family that tend with improve with experience. Noble Warrior placed in a maiden point at Ballingarry in June so makes more appeal than Justthegrey and Cross Of Steel.
Mystical Clouds (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, comfortably, won at Bangor 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Global Jackpot (12-5) by 14l, 4 ran.
Justthegrey (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, pushed along over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Rococo Style (10-7) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Sep.
Noble Warrior (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Miv-div, 2nd 1/2 way, jnd bef last where mstk, nt able to match wnr on run-in, ko, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Freezing Oscar (11-11) at Ballingarry 3m mdn gd in Jun.
Highway Girl 13-2 (11-0) Field stood still once passed the start for 36 seconds, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Princess Roxy (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (5) sft in Jan.
Cross Of Steel (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd and 4th, weakened 3 out, last of 7, 29 1/4l behind Normal Norman (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
