tracked leading pair, hit 2nd, ridden and no chance from 3 out
tracked leader, hit 4th, led 4 out, kept narrow advantage, shaken up and in command last, driven clear
slowly away, soon in touch, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten when hit next
led until mistake and headed 4 out, stayed pressing winner and every chance until held and not fluent last, weakened flat
The fast ground means we have small fields and just five contest the opener and we think it rests between Zizou and Cockatoo, with preference for the last named, Towerofcharlemagne may be best of the rest. Gary Moore's gelding ran his best race to date when chasing home Woolly Bully over course and distance. A repeat of that run should be good enough. Zizou hit winning form last time out in good style. However it wasn't the strongest of races and the winner's penalty may just be his downfall. Towerofcharlemagne is from a top yard and if supported in the market take note. The others make little appeal and so we return to Cockatoo as the likely winner.
Alan The Aussie 150-1 (10-4) Jumped right 1st, saddle slipped soon after and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Viscount Rossini (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov clm hdl (4) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
Cockatoo (USA) 7-4fav (10-12) Led, clear 6th, reduced lead approaching 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, no extra between final 2, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Woolly Bully (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Panache de Thaix (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, 7th of 10, 34l behind Aya (10-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gf.
Towerofcharlemagne (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 7l behind Our Faye (8-12) at Leicester 1m mdn aut stk (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Zizou (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Led until 6th, chased leader to 3 out, soon regained 2nd, led 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m hdl 0-90 (5) gf beating Krasivi's Boy (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
