led, pushed along going to 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on and headed post
tracked leading pair, ridden after last, stayed on to lead post
tracked leader, challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat
in touch, weakened approaching last
in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
An intriguing race which may go to RORY BOY although neither Gringo nor Riguez Dancer can be ruled out with any confidence. The two mile trip is a slight concern for the selection who has done his recent racing over further but he did win over the trip in November whilst he wasn't disgraced behind Riverside Theatre the following month. He's also run well in the face of stiff tasks the last twice and should go well as long as the effects of a busy season don't take their toll. Riguez Dancer has something to find on the figures but it may not be wise to judge his chance on that basis alone as he is unexposed over fences and has the ability to rate higher than his current perch although his winning has been done on slower ground. Gringo comes out best at the weights on these terms and won well enough on his chase debut as he probably had a little up his sleeve. He will need to improve on the bare form though if he's to get the better of a peak form Rory Boy.
Rory Boy (USA) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, settled into mid-division after 3rd, slightly hampered 11th, ridden and headway 4 out, hit next, weakened last, 9th of 10, 15l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd.
Gringo 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, steady headway 9th, chased leading pair next, left close 2nd and badly hampered 2 out, going well when switched right before last, led last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) sft in Mar beating Karmadice (11-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Riguez Dancer 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, chased leading pair after 4 out, outpaced approaching last, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Fortysecond Street (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Right Or Wrong (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, some headway after 5th, weakened next, 9th of 12, 43l behind Sure Josie Sure (11-7) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Star Tenor (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway when not fluent 7th, jumped slowly next, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 24l behind Troodos Jet (9-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
