Reporter: Simon Rowlands
A smart contest, though one in which only the first 2 appeared to give their running, and it was close to well-run, the overall time decent and the winner’s final 4f of 59.71s equal to a 101.9% finishing speed.
FANTASTIC LADY (c152 here, 145 previously) was better than ever in improving 2 places from what she had managed behind Hewick 12 months before, producing a performance that would have just about seen her home in front in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (which she and others from the stable missed out on). She was held up in rear before making steady headway out wide, leading approaching the last and staying on for pressure despite edging right. She has not withstood a lot of racing but is worth persevering with judged on this.
GA LAW (c157 here and previously) was back to his best, just unable to contain the improved winner having made most and still been going best after 3 out. This may be about as far as he stays.
HITMAN (c145 here, 157 previously) showed up prominently for a long way but ultimately found little (not for the first time) and was below form.
EASY GAME (c145 here, 160 previously) ran poorly, though it has to be said that his form in small-field affairs is not exactly copper-bottomed. He was held up in rear, made some headway 4 out but weakened before the next.
THE REAL WHACKER (c134 here, 159 previously) may have 2 ways of running, this one of the lesser ones, though he was still well in touch, despite making mistakes and being niggled along at various stages, when taking 3 out awkwardly, weakening thereafter.
STRAW FAN JACK (c116 here, 135 previously)
AL DANCER (c97 here, 154 previously)
