Reporter: Andy Gibson
The very early pace was a fast one according to attheraces.com sectionals. The first six horses to finish all jumped the second fence in the first seven places. The leaders then settled down to run at what was only a steady pace until quickening up again from three out. This made life very difficult for any horse attempting to make up ground from off the pace.
He clearly enjoyed this better ground and longer trip after performing in a disappointing fashion on heavy ground at Newbury over two miles last time out. He was probably helped by racing in a prominent position from the off before striding clear up the hill from the last to the line.
After competing in graded races all season, this represented a drop in grade for him. He acquitted himself well having initially been helped by getting off to a very good start with his claiming jockey on board.
His connections mentioned a step up in trip for him next time and I would concur with this view. He raced prominently and wide throughout before staying on nicely late on without having the pace to keep up with the first two horses to finish.
Along with many of his Irish-trained counterparts, he has been campaigned on much softer going this season. He is a keen going sort and was suited by racing in the first few places jumping the early fences.
He was helped by racing to the fore from the off and remained in contention until tiring from the last to the line.
After competing on softer ground over three miles recently, this represented a speedier test for him and it showed. He raced in the first six or seven throughout before appearing likely to drop out of contention coming down the hill. He stayed on nicely again once meeting the rising ground and would have preferred to be competing over another half a mile or on a softer surface.
He was the only one of the prominent early runners to drop out of contention in the latter stages. He still performed well for a long way before his tame finish which mirrored the finishing efforts of many of his stable mates from the Elliott yard at this festival.
I remain open minded as to the likelihood of him staying this intermediate trip. His early position towards the rear gave him no chance in a race where early pace was essential. He did make up some ground in the latter stages and ran okay at best. I assume we will see plenty of improvement from him when dropped in trip and competing in a fast run two mile chase off his current mark.
