held up towards rear, mistake 9th, under pressure 5 out, soon beaten
held up when fell 2nd
held up in touch, headway to track leaders after 6th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, slow 8th, outpaced 5 out, kept on after 2 out, never on terms
tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, 12 lengths clear after next, stayed on well
held up towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, soon chasing winner, kept on under pressure, never a threat
led, raced keenly, headed before 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 11th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, driven when blundered 12th, soon lost place, pulled up after 4 out
This looks a tough one to call as jockeyship will play its part but Mountain King was unlucky to come up against Mon Successeur on a going day at Ascot last time and is a pound lower. Capilla looks to be in the handicapper's grip and Brody Bleu has an absence to overcome but Cloudy Bob was well ahead of Kings Cross at Towcester last time and Bold Bachelor arrives off the back of a win at Fakenham, though steps up two grades for this. FAIRY RATH only weakened at the last over a longer trip at Sandown three weeks ago and looks to be back on song. This looks within his capabilities as he's better treated than both Elenika and Johnny Og.
Mountain King 8-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 12th, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Mon Successeur (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Brody Bleu (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Pressed winner, hit 2nd, lost 2nd 9th, struggling 11th, weakened next, 4th of 5, dist behind Sporting Boy (11-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Prominent, jumped left and bumped 2nd, led 4th, headed after 6th, no impression on winner 2 out, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 7th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Bishops Road (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Elenika (FR) 7-4jfav (11-2) In touch, ridden to challenge when left in 3rd at 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 6, 33 3/4l behind Morney Wing (10-13) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Johnny Og 20-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, pushed along after 12th, soon lost place, 6th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Mon Successeur (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Sunny Ledgend (11-4) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Capilla (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Led, driven and headed flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Little Jimmy (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Kings Cross (FR) 5-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, closed 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Sunny Ledgend (11-4) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Bold Bachelor (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Led and jumped left 1st, headed before 4th, left 2nd next, led 10th, clear before last, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Johns Luck (11-12) by 13l, 8 ran.
