mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 4 out, led on bit 2 out, drew clear flat
tracked leader, bumped 2nd, went prominent after 3rd, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden after 4 out, headed next, soon weakened
led, jumped left 2nd, soon headed, behind and ridden 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
held up, ridden and chased leaders after 4 out, blundered next, pulled up lame before 2 out
mid-division, close up approaching 3 out, ridden and soon one pace
mid-division, hit 4th, ridden and behind from 4 out
tracked leader, blundered 1st, reminders 4th and soon behind
prominent, ridden and led 3 out, headed next, soon one pace, no chance with winner
RED MOLONEY has plenty of weight but he also has the best form in the book and is nominated here ahead of Pakineo des Pictons, Geojimali and Houston Dynimo. Howard Johnson's course and distance winner has been impressive on his two wins to date. He was rated over 100 on the level so has every chance of making up into a very decent performer, and having cost 150,000 euros, he can help repay that back with another instalment today. The main danger could be Houston Dynimo who has filled second spot on each of his two starts over timber. Although he was firmly put in his place last time by Dont Stop Me Now, the form looks solid enough and receiving a 9lb weight-for-age allowance today, he rates a player. Pakineo Des Pictons was a major disappointment last time out when pulled up at Ayr. That was on very testing ground however and a drop in trip coupled with better ground should see a better performance. Chord is another to have suffered defeat as a favourite, but Donald McCain's gelding is more interesting now dropped back in trip as he has some excellent form to his name. At a price Geojimali could run well at a track he likes, however it is Red Moloney who can complete the hat-trick.
Red Moloney (USA) 1-5fav (11-5) Held up in touch, close up 4 out, smooth headway to lead 2 out, drew clear run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m hdl (3) gd in Dec beating Casual Affair (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Bee Sting 16-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place 4th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Chord 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 13, 31l behind Divers (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Clandestino (FR) 250-1 (10-7) Towards rear, blundered 1st and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Merrydown (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Geojimali 25-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Red Moloney (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Dec.
Pakineo des Pictons (FR) 5-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, effort 4 out, soon beaten and behind Kempski (11-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Pontop (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 13, 10l behind Woody Waller (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Raincoat 10-1 (9-11) Ridden in rear 3f out, always behind, 12th of 14, 19l behind Sanbuch (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Jul (Flat).
Spare Days 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 31l behind Calcutta Cup (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Royal Citadel (IRE) 125-1 (10-11) Always behind, lost touch from 8th, 9th of 12, well behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, ridden and weakened from last, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
