soon tracking leaders, keen, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 6th, led approaching 3 out, driven out
held up in rear, chased leaders approaching 4 out, challenged when mistake 2 out, every chance last, kept on
close up, led 6th, headed approaching 3 out, hit last, one pace
made most to 6th, soon pushed along, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out
ERNST BLOFELD was disappointing last time but he has a chance to make amends here in the first-time tongue-tie and can see off both Drever Route and Steady Tiger. Donald McCain has a good record at the track and his promising novice Ernst Blofeld is one of many exciting horses in the yard. Life hasn't been easy under his penalty since an easy win at Haydock in December but his form looks solid and he is well clear on the ratings. After his disappointing run last time where he looked a spectre of his former self, we thought we'd never say never again but you only live twice and we'll take him to thunder(ball) home in front. Steady Tiger looked to be out-speeded last time when defeated at odds-on and so this step up in trip looks the obvious move for this son of Presenting, whilst Drever Route is another upped in distance. He didn't impress when tried over this trip at Wetherby and recent runs have been disappointing so this well-related gelding is passed over despite being tongue-tied for the first time. Newcomer Keel Road gets lots of weight but looks very much the second string for the McCain team, and so it is stablemate Ernst Blofeld who is for our eyes only.
Drever Route (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-11) In touch, headway approaching 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 15, 28l behind Mighty Moon (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Ernst Blofeld (IRE) 2-11fav (11-5) Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed before last, kept on under pressure flat, held near finish, 2nd of 5, hd behind Political Paddy (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Steady Tiger (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Led after 2nd, headed 6th, ridden next, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Lord Larsson (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Asis Supreme (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened, 17th of 20, well behind Paradis de Thaix (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f 6yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Lisglynn Jim (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Beckett Rock (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Keel Road (IRE) (12-0) won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '08 beating Sevengreatpersians (12-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Mind Your Manners 250-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened and struggling from 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
