led to 7th (usual 11th), ridden bypassing omitted 4 out, soon no impression, plugged on in modest 3rd after
tracked leader, led 7th (usual 11th), 5 lengths clear bypassing omitted 2 out, ridden and reduced advantage inside final furlong, no extra and headed final strides
slowly away, in rear, close up on outside final circuit, went 2nd after last (usual 5 out), soon ridden, 5 lengths down bypassing omitted 2 out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led final strides (all fences in home straight omitted, low sun)
tracked front pair, lost place 7th (usual 11th), behind when mistake 2 out (usual 6 out), no danger after, weakened on extended run-in, tailed off
held up in touch, headway 8th (usual 12th), lost place last (usual 5 out), never able to get back on terms, weakened on extended run-in
CLOUDY GLEN (NAP) jumped boldly out in front at Exeter until lack of condition told. That was over 3m and Venetia Williams’ promising novice should take some pegging back over this shorter trip. Chapel Stile was easy to back on his fencing bow over course and distance but wasn’t beaten far. Saint Freule was an easy winner at Hexham but steps up in trip here off a higher mark and looks worth opposing. Randy Pike never threatened at Catterick while I'm A Starman will need to be useful to make a winning start over fences against these.
Saint Freule (FR) 15-8 (11-13) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, mistakes 5th and 6th, rallied after 2 out, every chance last, led soon after, kept on well under pressure (1 fence omitted), won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating First Account (11-5) by 3l, 5 ran.
Cloudy Glen (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Went to post early, led in start and well away, chased leaders, headway to lead after 3rd, went clear 14th, reduced lead and headed 2 out where mistake, weakened between last 2, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 11, 13l behind Notachance (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Chapel Stile (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Behind, pushed along and headway before 7 out, kept on in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Randy Pike (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, pecked 10th, lost place and behind 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to regain modest 4th flat, never a threat, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Schiehallion Munro (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
I'm A Starman 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, closed before 6th, ridden after 4 out, outpaced next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Bbold (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
