led, blundered 4 out, headed 3 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
tracked leader, jumped left and led 2 out, jumped left last, kept on under pressure run-in
held up in rear and in touch, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on run-in, held towards finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, one pace from 2 out
MYSTERY DRAMA was no match for subsequent Grade Three winner Gitane Du Berlais in a Listed race at Aintree back in November but probably found the soft ground against her. She'd won at Leicester on her hurdling debut and should be too good for these if fully wound-up. The quicker going may not suit last month's Taunton scorer Flute Bowl and Vandross has just lost his way a little lately. He would also have preferred an easier surface and a longer trip.
Vandross (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Unseated rider just after start, in a race won by Raven's Tower (11-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Flute Bowl 7-2 (10-3) In touch in 4th, pushed along before 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Nesterenko (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gs in Mar.
Money Talks 100-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 17, 40l behind Oscar Hoof (11-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mystery Drama 6-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd next, no impression, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Gitane Du Berlais (11-3) at Aintree 2m 1f Lstd fills juv hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Mr Fitzroy (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leading trio, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 22l behind Such A Legend (10-8) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
