towards rear, headway on outer to go 3rd 3 out, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead approaching straight, joined 2 out, travelled well and led last, drew clear run-in, very easily
tracked leaders, headway to lead before 5th where not fluent, headed approaching straight, headway to dispute lead 2 out, pushed along and headed last, ridden and no impression on winner run-in
always towards rear, no extra in rear before 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off
led, headed before 5th and 3rd halfway, pushed along in 5th before 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened
STRATUM, a winner on the Flat for John Gosden, looked a smart recruit to hurdling at Galway in September and is the type to take high rank amongst the novices this season. He has a couple of Gordon Elliott-trained winners to beat but looks capable of doing so. He receives 7lb from Morgan, an impressive winner on heavy ground at Listowel before just failing to concede 11lb to Sayar in a Grade 3 at Tipperary. He isn't certain to beat his stable companion Mengli Khan, who beat a huge field here in fine style in September and looks the type to go on to better things. The remaining trio will do well to match strides.
Morgan (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, closer in 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Sayar (10-11) at Tipperary 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Jimmy Breekie (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, dropped towards rear and jumped left 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 8, 34 3/4l behind Campeador (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 6-5fav (11-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd after 4 out, challenged 3 out, improved to lead before last, ridden and kept on strongly run-in, won at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Sep beating Edelpour (11-12) by 6l, 30 ran.
Stratum 1-2fav (11-8) Disputed early, led 2nd, pressed last, pushed out to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Galway 2m mdn sft in Sep beating Gagas Horse (11-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Take Five (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Rr, 6th 1/2way, in touch 4out, no ex from 3out, ko bhnd, 5th of 7, 36 1/2l behind Dorydalis (11-11) at Ballinaboola 2m mdn hvy in Feb.
Classic Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Led and disputed, headed approaching 2nd where mistake, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, lost place approaching next where hampered, soon rear and ridden, weakened, 5th of 6, 30 3/4l behind Just Janice (10-10) at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov.
