in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen, close up, tracked winner 3rd until approaching 4 out, ridden next, weakened between last 2 and lost 2 places
chased winner until 3rd, ridden 6th, behind and pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd at last, until near finish
taken to post early, made all, soon clear, reduced lead 6th, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased near finish
always in rear
in rear when brought down 7th
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd flat
keen in touch, went 2nd going well 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon one pace
held up, some headway 6th, weakened 4 out
A fascinating race in which MADE IN TIME is narrowly preferred. Rebecca Curtis is a trainer on the up, illustrated by JP McManus buying this horse and leaving him in her care. Far from disgraced when ninth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, he then impressed on his hurdling bow at Stratford and is selected despite his penalty. Lidar has something to prove following a Chepstow flop but he's much more interesting than that below par effort, and along with the experienced 132-rated gelding Frascati Park he rates a big danger. Imperial Circus looks the pick of the Phillip Hobbs pair, despite his trainer casting doubts over the merit of his form between the flags. Poungach has scope for improvement but may not be seen to best effect until sent chasing, so a bigger threat might be Sprinter Sacre. Whilst the majority of the yard's horses have needed their first run, this dual bumper winner (including at the track) is reported to have schooled very well and he has the scope to go right to the top this year.
Lidar (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
Made In Time (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd 8th, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon eased clear, sauntered home, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Time For Spring (11-0) by 13l, 10 ran.
Beefeater (IRE) Oscar Schindler gelding out of Toulon Days.
Buffalo Creek (FR) 4-1 (11-7) won at Maisemore Park 2m 5f ptp in May '09 beating Arctic Gunner (11-7) by 5l, 9 ran.
Easter Meteor 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, no real impression on winner inside final furlong, pressed for 2nd until no extra near finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kid Cassidy (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) sft in Mar.
Frascati Park (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Led and soon clear, headed approaching and blundered 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Hawkaller 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders over 4f out, soon no impression, 6th of 15, 32l behind Kartanian (11-7) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Humbel Times (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cloughmile (10-13) at Thurles 3m mdn hdl sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Imperial Circus (IRE) 5-4 (10-7) Hdwy 12; led 3 out; easy, won at Whitfield 3m ptp in Jun beating Caught In Time (12-0) by 6l, 15 ran.
Poungach (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Made all, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gd in May beating Traditional Bob (11-2) by 8l, 9 ran.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, went 2nd over 3f out, led on bit inside final furlong, always in command, won at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr beating Yes Tom (11-9) by 4l, 12 ran.
Whispering Jack 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, not fluent 3 out, weakened after, 9th of 13, well behind Educated Evans (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
