Saint Bibiana will likely improve on a fifth over 2m4f here on her hurdling debut but this is all about CLASSIC MAESTRO. Second three times in a row, the last twice in handicaps, he was keeping on over 2m6f here last time and faces lesser opposition today. Jalisco Star has Brian Hughes on board but has shown little in three runs so far under Rules.
Classic Maestro (IRE) 85-40fav (11-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway before 3 out, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Barricane (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Free The Lion (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tr ldrs, ld 4out, hdd aftr 2out, dprd to 3rd at last, no ex & lost 3rd on run-in & drpd to 4th, 4th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Sawdust (12-2) at Lingstown 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Legostar (FR) 300-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st and always behind, 13th of 17, dist behind Lucky Place (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec.
Mayheblucky (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 6th 1/2way, no impr & held in 5th well bef 2out, ko flat bt no danger, 4th of 11, 4l behind Kalanisi Star (11-11) at Corbeagh House 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Nippin N Poppin 50-1 (11-0) Unruly before start, in rear, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 7th of 8, dist behind Genovese (10-12) at Worcester 2m (5) gs in Sep.
Jalisco Star (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) In touch on outer, lost position 4 out, headway into 4th home turn, pushed along before 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 29l behind Easy To Follow (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Saint Bibiana (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) In rear, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along before next, soon well held and weakened, 5th of 7, 19 1/2l behind Easy To Follow (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
