tracked leaders, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in touch, not fluent and reminders after 7th, behind and struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before next, never on terms, weakened last
led, headed after 3 out, ridden before next, kept on under pressure before last, no chance with winner
prominent on inside, driven before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, well held in 3rd before last
always prominent on outside, led after 3 out, clear when went right next and again last, driven out, comfortably
Bialco won last year’s inaugural running and scored over course and distance once again in December. He should be in the mix but the progressive BLACK PIRATE (NAP) is preferred. The latter has won both outings over timber including over 2m here last time and with this extra distance expected to suit James Ewart’s charge, he gets the vote now handicapping for the first time. Kalaharry was placed over a longer trip here recently but Milvale was still well beaten when second in a maiden hurdle over track and trip recently. The Delray Munky will be sharper for last month’s return from a long absence but Sutton Manor continues to struggle.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Soon towards rear, no impression 5 out, weakened, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-0) at Cork 3m gd in Aug.
Bialco (FR) 10-1 (10-5) Chased leader until 4th, soon beaten, weakened from omitted 2 out, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind The Con Man (10-5) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Black Pirate 5-4 (11-10) Prominent, ridden to lead narrowly bypassing omitted last, hard pressed, held on, won at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Ebony Jewel (11-10) by nk, 13 ran.
The Delray Munky 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Teescomponentstrig (11-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Kalaharry (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Perfect Man (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Milvale (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Jumped right at times, chased winner until before 5th, went 2nd again 8th, every chance 3 out, no impression last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Uptown Harry (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
