Reporter: Simon Rowlands
A slow pace ensured this was not much of a test, despite the ground being “good to soft” judged on times/sectionals rather than the official “good”, and the form probably needs treating with some caution, smart though it initially appears. The final 4f went by in a sprightly 55.66s (107.4% finishing speed).
LUCKY PLACE (h150 here, 140 previously) seemed to show a fair bit of improvement to win what was a rather messy affair, tracking the pace until asked for an effort before 2 out then leading under pressure at the last and running on. He was put up to 145 by the BHA after this so would have prospects in top-end handicaps even if he does not make the transition to true Grade 2s and Grade 1s.
BLUEKING D’OROUX (h155 here and previously) repeated the form he showed when a penalised fourth to Impaire Et Passe at Sandown in April, getting the run of things up front in a tactical affair and coming again after looking as if he might be swamped 2 out.
COLONEL MUSTARD (h148 here and previously) might not have been best suited by how things unfolded but seemed to run creditably even so, close up and asked when less than fluent 2 out keeping on thereafter.
GOLDEN ACE (h144+ here, 142+ previously) shaped as if she will come on for this, just a bit free initially but moving up going as well as any 2 out (went shade of odds on in running) only to find little on the run-in. She won all 4 of her starts over hurdles last season, notably the Mares’ Novice at the Cheltenham Festival, and could be set for another fruitful campaign.
THUNDER ROCK (h0 here, ? previously) was switched from fences but ran no sort of a race, in trouble by halfway and pulled up soon after.
