prominent, blundered 8th and 9th, ridden and soon weakened
held up in touch, smooth headway to lead 3 out, ridden next, all out
held up, prominent 5th, ridden after 9th, soon beaten
led, blundered 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on, every chance and blundered last, no extra run in
Just an ordinary event albeit contested by thee last-time out winners and the vote goes to General Duroc. The Richard Phillips-trained gelding showed improved for a step up to this trip when a decisive winner at Newcastle late last month and looks capable of making further progress on ground which holds no terrors. Mister Friday is another who will appreciate this trip and comes here in good form after lifting a novice event here last month. The six-year-old will prove no pushover while St Mathew has taken well to hurdling, winning two of his three starts, but may struggle to last home over this trip under top weight.
