Expert Analysis

One of the big staying hurdles of the season, and there were a couple of big names in there who finished 1-2, but they are knocking on now and there is a good chance this form is far from strong given a somewhat stop-start gallop (104.9% finishing speed, outsider more or less ignored in lead until halfway) and a slowish overall time, the third, who had been beaten off a mark of 142 the time before, finishing rather close for comfort.

DASHEL DRASHER (h144 here, 159? previously) showed all his trademark battling qualities in holding on narrowly, though the bare form of this is some way off his peak of last season and it remains to be seen if he is still smart given he is now rising 11. He raced close up in the main group, was niggled before 3 out but went to the front after it, jumped left at the last and hung on gamely for pressure.

PAISLEY PARK (h150 here, 161? previously) showed there is still plenty of fight in the old boy yet, though whether he will be as good this season as last remains to be seen given the doubts about this form and the fact that he is rising 12. He was held up, driven after 3 out and typically took a while to respond before going on well at the death and only just failing to get there.

FLIGHT DECK (h142+ here and previously) may be better than a 142-rated performer, but probably not by much given that he was beaten off that mark last time (albeit doing plenty in front in the second half of the race), and his proximity calls the form into question somewhat. He was close up in the main group, led narrowly and briefly before 3 out, awkward at the last and keeping on.

MARIE’S ROCK (h138 here, 155 previously) ran an odd race, possibly lacking recent match practice in that she was held up travelling comfortably but initially did little off the bridle before keeping on at the death. She had beaten Dashel Drasher, albeit at 20f, last season.

MAHONS GLORY (h115 here, 126 previously) led for a long way before being outclassed.

HUGOS NEW HORSE (h0 here, 136 previously) started the season looking a promising type for handicaps, and maybe ultimately something better, but ran poorly for the second time in a row.