not fluent 1st and 2nd, close up in rear, pushed along 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened well before next
close up, good headway to lead 2 out, soon clear, comfortable, impressive
raced wide tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next, blundered last
held up, ridden and outpaced well before 2 out, short lived effort soon after 2 out, weakening when blundered last
tracked leaders, ridden well before 2 out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
raced wide close up, ridden 3 out, weakened well before next, tailed off
Four of the last five winners of this Grade 2 have been French-bred. Diamant Bleu and DYNAMITE DOLLARS are the only two who fit that criteria this year but the former looks to have a lot to find on the form book. The latter didn’t enjoy heavy going last time at Haydock, however, and this step up in trip will almost certainly suit given he’s by a full brother to the stable’s star stayer Big Buck’s. On The Blind Side is unbeaten but has a penalty courtesy of his victory in this grade at Cheltenham and this looks more competitive. Red River was hugely impressive at Wincanton and has a future while Springtown Lake would have won at the same track had he not fallen at the last. Marley Firth, White Moon and Mulcahys Hill are clearly useful and add to the interest.
Diamant Bleu (FR) (10-12) 6th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Pop Art Du Berlais (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 3f lst gd in Jun.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, chased front pair towards stands side before last, switched left flat, led and stayed on well closing stages, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov beating Momella (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dynamite Dollars (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked winner, challenged 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Delire D'estruval (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Marley Firth (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led next, driven clear between last 2, went left last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Doctor Haze (10-12) by 8l, 13 ran.
Red River (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, smooth progress 3 out, led approaching next, drew clear last, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct beating Coup De Pinceau (10-12) by 13l, 11 ran.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Led, clear when stumbled and fell after last, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
White Moon (GER) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th place, led before 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Exeter 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov beating Rhaegar (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
Mulcahys Hill (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Pressed leader, led 7th, driven and flashed tail flat, stayed on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Juge Et Parti (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
