tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, blundered badly 3rd, headway on inside 5th, led after 2 out, ridden out
held up rear, steady headway after 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, every chance last, no extra
mid-division, mistake 4th, weakened approaching 3 out and pulled up
tracked leaders, weakened 5th
prominent, led 5th, ridden next, headed and weakened 2 out, hung left approaching last
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on
in rear, lost touch 5th
mid-division, jumped left 1st and 2nd, weakened 3rd, pulled up before 5th
held up rear, headway 5th, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
led, ridden when headed approaching 5th, soon weakened
Ortega, Topwell and Dune Raider are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Ortega. The selection disappointed last time out but prior to that he had been in good form. He will relish the faster ground and with his yard in top form he looks the value bet in an open affair. Topwell rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Dune Raider was a fair stayer on the flat and will not need to be anything special to take a hand in the finish so should be noted in the market. Of the remainder, Akash has shown a glimmer of ability in two runs to date but he may be seen to better effect once handicapped and with this in mind for the winner we return to Ortega.
Akash (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 11l behind Tech Eagle (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Changing Gear (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up, kept on one paced from 3 out, 10th of 17, 20l behind My Native Lad (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn hdl gf in Jul.
Dune Raider (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, driven along over 6f out, weakened final 4f, 6th of 9, well behind The Nawab (8-2) at York 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (Flat).
Hiawatha (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, folded tamely before next, 11th of 16, 30l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Oct.
Scotts Court 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bougoure (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
Topwell 9-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 24l behind Lethem Air (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Ortega (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and short lived effort after 7th, soon struggling, no chance when went left and jumped very slowly last, last of 15, well behind Pseudonym (10-11) at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Mar.
Opium des Pictons (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Led and keen, headed 4th, weakened quickly 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Northaw Lad (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
