held up towards rear, effort when bumped 5f out, not clear run over 4f out, soon lost place, no impression
held up in touch, challenged over 4f out, hung left over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led until over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
always prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no impression on winner final 100 yards
prominent, outpaced over 4f out, rallied from over 1f out to go 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, challenged going well 3f out until ridden over 1f out, edged left and no extra inside final furlong
in touch on outside, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, took keen hold, weakened over 6f out
held up in touch, challenged over 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well
held up in rear, effort on inside when not clear run over 3f out, no impression
DRAGON'S ROOST is dropped in grade and can see off newcomers Cool Cascade, Raya Star and the once-raced Off Gallivanting. The selection impressed when sauntering home on debut at Newbury but then flopped at the same track last time out. The form of that race is solid though and with this task being easier the feeling is he should run a better race. Off Gallivanting shaped well on debut when unfancied for just a modest Southwell bumper almost a year ago. AP McCoy takes over in the saddle today and the horse needs a market check, although he may be over hurdles sooner rather than later. The Banana Man needs to improve, whilst point-to-point recruit O Malley's Oscar may need further, so the main dangers may be the newcomers. Articulate is related to plenty of winners, Benny The Swinger cost £17,000 at the Kempton sales in December, whilst Catspan was picked up for a similar amount and is a half-brother to winners over in France. Lady Exe is a sister to a bumper winner, Raya Star is bred to come into her own over further in time (dam is a half-sister to Risk Accessor), whilst Cool Cascade is flat-bred and likely to be more speedy and ready for this test today. An open finale, but we are happy to stick with Dragon's Roost.
Dragon's Roost (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Always rear division, pushed along 4f out, struggling final 3f, 7th of 11, 22l behind Al Ferof (11-3) at Newbury 2m nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Articulate (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Quare Dream's.
Benny The Swinger (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of The Olde Swinger.
O Malley's Oscar (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Rcd 2nd, mstk 3out & lst grnd, lft 2nd 2out, closed up from last, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Kings Army (11-7) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp in Nov.
Catspan (FR) Turgeon gelding out of Royale Pour Moi.
Forever Waining (IRE) Choisir gelding out of Dahoar.
Lady Exe Karinga Bay mare out of Rempstone.
Leo The Brave Zaha gelding out of Assertive Dancer.
Raya Star (IRE) Milan gelding out of Garden City.
Windy Arbour Helissio colt out of Mistress Return.
Off Gallivanting 12-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6f out, went 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, carried left towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Hidden Keel (10-13) at Southwell 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
The Banana Man 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Milgen Bay (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Cool Cascade Alderbrook filly out of Miss Pout.
