tracked winner until 3 out, ridden before next, weakened before last
made all, not fluent 2nd, clear after 2 out, ran on well
in touch in 4th place, outpaced before 3 out
prominent in 3rd place, chased winner from 3 out, well held when blundered last, no chance with winner
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, headway before 4 out, chased leaders from 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, lost place before 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
Colonial Dreams was beaten a long way when third at Ludlow in November but can only improve on that initial effort. BLACK OP kept on in the closing stages over 2m at Newbury so should handle the step up in distance. He beat a very useful sort in his bumper here last season before running in a Grade 2 and has already won between the flags so should win plenty over timber. Aaron Lad has yet to strike form since joining Richard Newland while First Drift finished tailed off on his hurdling debut and that was well over a year ago. Fawsley Spirit cost 40,000 euros in 2016 but has yet to see a racecourse.
Aaron Lad (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4th, to chase leaders, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Black Op (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, chance 3 out, 3rd and well held when outpaced and mistake last, kept on again run-in, 4th of 13, 7l behind Lostintranslation (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Coisa Blanco (IRE) Jeremy gelding out of Moon Legend.
Colonial Dreams (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent when beaten 3rd 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Robin The Raven (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Destiny's Star 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, pushed along before 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
First Drift 8-1 (10-12) Tracked clear leader, mistake 4th, took closer order and mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, remote 5th, last of 5, dist behind Cultivator (10-12) at Ascot 2m fll (3) gd in Oct.
Katara Bay 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place after 6th, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Chef Des Obeaux (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Quasi (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along 6th, behind next, pulled up 3 out, at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Fawsley Spirit (IRE) Stowaway gelding out of Apple Trix.
