in touch, keen, headway to lead after 4th, headed before 4 out, weakened next
always prominent, led 4th, soon headed, mistake 6th, led again approaching 4 out, drew clear approaching last, readily
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, outpaced after 5 out, rallied next, chased winner 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner
led until 4th, soon lost place, rallied before 3 out, weakened approaching last
Baltimore Rock has struggled since falling in the Arkle at last year’s Festival, albeit in tougher races than this, and Solar Impulse has also faced some difficult tasks for his current trainer since landing last year’s Grand Annual at Cheltenham for Paul Nicholls. Nicholls runs SAN BENEDETO in this and today’s fast ground will suit having finished third at Kempton on Boxing Day. Indian Temple won at Ayr in October but ran below par off today’s higher mark on his latest start while the trail-blazing Fair Loch is preferred to Witness In Court after a third at Catterick.
Baltimore Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Raced in 11th early, last at 5th, soon no danger, pulled up before 4 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
San Benedeto (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, pushed along chasing leaders 3 out, went 3rd between last two, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Poker School (10-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Solar Impulse (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Held up, in rear, mistake 6th, some headway when hampered 4 out, well beaten next, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Witness In Court (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 30l behind Cold March (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Fair Loch 15-2 (11-12) Close up on outside, challenged after 4 out, led next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind A Little Magic (11-5) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Indian Temple (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Led until mistake 11th, chased leaders, blundered 3 out, weakened soon after, 12th of 16, dist behind O Maonlai (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
