chased leaders, driven halfway, weakened 6f out, tailed off
held up, headway 6f out, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran green, driven out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, weakened 5f out, hung right over 2f out
held up towards rear, struggling halfway, some headway final 3f, never dangerous
took keen hold in mid-division, driven 6f out, weakened over 4f out
chased leaders, driven 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off
led 4f, prominent, ridden to chase winner over 4f out, kept on towards finish
took keen hold, prominent, chased leader 10f out until over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
chased leaders 4f, tailed off final 7f
took keen hold in rear, headway 7f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, always behind, tailed off
held up, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
pulled hard, held up, headway to lead after 4f, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Baron Romeo gets the nod over Deep Moon and Kealshore Lad, with Grand Slam Hero, Mr Ironman and Le Briar Soul a few others to note for the future. Baron Romeo is owned by the Skans, whose La Landiere was instrumental in putting Richard Philips on the training map. Winner of an Irish point, he will be going chasing next season, but in the meantime this son of the Triumph Hurdle winner Baron Blakeney can make an immediate impression on his debut under rules. Deep Moon put in a pleasing round when chasing home Heraldry on his bumper bow at Towcester recently, but might need another stamina test to be seen to best effect. Kealshore Lad was the only one to give the useful Supreme's Legacy a race at Wetherby on his introduction so has to be respected, while Grand Slam hero will have learnt from his Chepstow debut in which he was a fair fifth on heavy ground. Mr Ironman and Le Briar Soul are worth a mention as well, although time may tell that the latter needs further, and we have no hesitation in nominating Baron Romeo as one to follow.
Back With A Bang (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 17, 41l behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Aug.
Baron Romeo (IRE) Won at Knockanard 3m ire ptp gs in Feb beating Killaghy Castle by a nk, 10 ran.
Deep Moon (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Heraldry (11-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 4f out, hung left and weakened 3f out, 5th of 11, 30l behind Asudo (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
Kealshore Lad 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, driven and headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Supreme's Legacy (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Le Briar Soul (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 16, 6l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Lord Kernow (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in touch and keen, ridden 6f out, plugged on one pace, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Sunley Shines (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (H) gf in Apr.
Mange Tout (IRE) Presenting gelding, half-brother to winning bumper and hurdler Your A Gassman.
