tracked leader, led 2 out, not fluent last, clear towards finish, easily
led, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, no extra last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden to challenge 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
always last, not fluent 3rd, soon lost touch, tailed off from 6th
Small fields are the order of the day with conditions likely to prove testing. After two wins in point-to-points, Mystical Knight made an impressive debut over 2m here in a bumper and could be anything. Heavy going clearly isn't a problem but he's up against a smart novice here in OPEN EAGLE, who just failed to overhaul stablemate Thomas Hobson in a Grade 2 over this course and distance four weeks ago and should be capable of defying his penalty. Mystical Knight's stable companion Kilcullen Flem may need this and Just Like Beth looks to be out of her depth.
Open Eagle (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway when not fluent 4 out, went 10 lengths 2nd on bend after 3 out, closed 2 out, every chance flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Thomas Hobson (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Kilcullen Flem (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, hard ridden when challenged 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Crazy Jack (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Mystical Knight 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked front pair, went 2nd over 5f out, led on bit over 2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out, very easily, won at Warwick 2m (6) hvy in Dec beating Holbrook Park (11-0) by 21l, 11 ran.
Just Like Beth 200-1 (10-5) Mid-division but in touch, lost place 5 out, soon tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Its'afreebee (11-5) at Haydock 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
