tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, hesitated approaching 12th and unseated rider
close up, left 2nd at 12th, ridden to chase winner, no impression from 3 out
close up in rear, left 4th at 12th, ridden and no impression from next
tracked winner until 8th, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, no impression
made all, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Grey Gold hung on to land a claimer at Ffos Las in October but this is a far tougher assignment for the 12-year-old. Astracad would have a big chance on past form but is another now in the veteran stage. SPECIAL CATCH is only a year younger and never figured on his reappearance at Ayr but he wasn’t given a hard time and will strip fitter here. He holds Caraline on last year’s form and Zarib is best watched on his first run since June.
Grey Gold (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Chased leaders, took closer order 9th, chased leader next, led approaching last, weakening and no extra close home, held on, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f (4) sft in Oct beating Red Riverman (11-4) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Special Catch (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 8th, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Archive (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Zarib (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, driven and one pace from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Surf And Turf (10-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Astracad (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway on outside chasing leaders 13th, stayed on same pace, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 23 1/2l behind The Romford Pele (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Caraline (FR) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 10th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Benie Des Dieux (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
