disputed lead until led on long run approaching 2 out, ridden out
keen tracked leading pair, chased winner and every chance when mistake 2 out, ridden and stayed on one pace
close up in rear, pushed along 4th, outpaced next, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 3rd flat
disputed lead until ridden on long run to 2 out, weakened approaching last, lost 3rd flat
A dual winner over course and distance at this time last year, Ruacana is back on a winning mark so much respected. Top Gamble isn’t getting any younger and is on a long losing run but is eased in grade and should give Charlie Bishop a good ride. LITTLE RORY MAC may have his measure, however, if he settle better than when favourite at Plumpton on his reappearance. Twenty Twenty has only won at Fontwell so far and has no form on going this testing.
Top Gamble (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Close up and chased leader, niggled along and outpaced before 2 out, hard-ridden and weakened quickly after 2 out, faded closing stages, 6th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Gortroe Joe (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Little Rory Mac (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Held up in rear, good headway tracking leaders approaching 3 out, pushed along disputing 3rd briefly before next, weakened between last 2, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Amour de Nuit (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ruacana 9-2 (11-3) Raced wide, tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, weakened next, last of 5, 35l behind Marlborough Sounds (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Twenty Twenty (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, scrubbed along and struggling before 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Gortroe Joe (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
