took keen hold, chased leader, ridden 3f out, lost 2nd and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and pressed over 1f out, ran on, headed well inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home
held up in 6th, headway on outside and hung left over 1f out, soon ridden, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner
chased leaders, going well on inside over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken well inside final furlong
in touch, headwaty to 4th and ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
started slowly, well behind, struggling halfway, never on terms
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, head high under pressure inside final furlong, soon weakened
reared start, held up towards rear, headway on inside under pressure 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, never a factor
Thunderstruck is inconsistent though he's back in a more suitable grade today, while Mullins Way ended last season out of sorts and hasn't raced since October. Photo Opportunity won for Dermot Weld in Ireland but makes his debut for a new yard after nearly a year off the track, while Elijah Pepper is hard to catch right. Standpoint has solid claims on his best form, but Irish raider STAR LINKS gets the nod, as November's close-up third to Tarooq has worked out well and he can boast three previous wins over track and trip.
Photo Opportunity 5-2fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 12l behind Drombeg Dawn (8-13) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+) sft in Mar.
Thunderstruck 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Emerald Wilderness (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Mullins Way (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, hampered over 6f out, lost place and well behind after, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Loyalty (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Star Links (USA) 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Tarooq (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Standpoint 7-4fav (9-4) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Munsarim (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Guest Book (IRE) 40-1 (9-6) Always behind, 10th of 13, 7l behind Thunderstruck (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 3-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden and not quicken 2f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Munsarim (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Viva Ronaldo (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Dwelt held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 2l behind City Legend (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Goal (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, 9th of 10, 10l behind Podgies Boy (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
