tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, head to lead after 2 out, headed run-in, one pace under pressure
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, brief effort after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
tracked leader, effort 2 out, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 4 out, effort when mistake next, soon one pace
towards rear, headway 7th, effort 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
Mickey Croke caught a tartar when third behind the potentially useful Knowhere at Hexham last time and looks worth another chance in lesser company today in a race where Em's Royalty and Emperor's Monarch provide the main opposition. The selection made a winning return when landing a maiden hurdle at Perth in August and lost no caste in defeat at Hexham. This looks an easier assignment and Martin Todhunter's gelding is taken to resume winning ways. Em's Royalty has shown promise in both starts so far and is less exposed than many of these. He is preferred to Newcastle bumper winner Indy Mood, who ran with credit when finding just Ardashir too good on his hurdling debut at Perth last month. Emperor's Monarch twice filled the runners up spot in bumpers and is interesting on his debut over timber, while the Nicky Richards-trained Mazzareme may be better than he has shown so far. Stablemate Glenmoss Rosy is nicely bred but lacks experience and of more interest may be Richard Fahey's Ball O Malt, who has plenty of experience but is becoming exposed. The vote though goes to Mickey Croke, who is taken to bounce back to winning ways having been outclassed last time.
