steadied start, close up in 5th, went 4th over 3f out, ridden and headway to chase clear winner approaching final furlong, no threat
tracked leader, led over 2f out, quicken clear entering final 2f, ridden out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
keen tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased
close up, pushed along 7f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong
RAYMOND TUSK was forced to knuckle down in the closing stages of one these events at Newcastle last month to hold off the challenge of French raider Funny Kid. A similar outcome is expected in this as the leading protagonists re-oppose on the same terms today and Richard Hannon’s charge can go in again. The progressive Rainbow Dreamer won a decent handicap at Kempton last time but has no easy task at the weights while Deal A Dollar and Scarlet Dragon have even more to find.
Funny Kid (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Held up, good headway 3f out, ridden to dispute lead from over 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Raymond Tusk (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Rainbow Dreamer 13-8jfav (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, edged right and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Pianissimo (8-5) by 2l, 4 ran.
Raymond Tusk (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon joined, fought out finish until asserted close home, won at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec beating Funny Kid (9-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Scarlet Dragon 5-1 (9-10) Dwelt in touch, pushed along 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden and headway inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Entangling (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Deal A Dollar 11-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, headway over 1f out, kept on in 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Pianissimo (8-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
