chased leader, led 6th, hit 2 out, clear flat
led, jumped right 4th, headed 6th, remained close up until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, eased approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader and keen, raced wide, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, one pace
held up, hit 1st, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened after last
Richard Guest's Xaipete still retains plenty of ability at the age of 13 but he has looked to be in the grip of the handicapper for some time now and a better bet may prove to be Mexican, who is taken to confirm recent superiority over Bob's Buster. The last mentioned has generally disappointed this season and, while slipping to an attractive mark, has given little sign of encouragement including when well beaten into fifth place behind Powder Creek at Newcastle last month. Mexican finished third that day having looked likely to take a close hand before weakening from two out. There is a suspicion that the son of Pine Bluff may not want the ground to be too testing but the six-year-old has run well on a soft surface before and is so well treated on his best form that he looks worth chancing in a moderate contest where the pace is likely to be pedestrian. A market move for the ex-French Key Phil would be of interest on only his second start for David Wintle, while another French import Loriko d'Airy cannot be discounted on ground that suits; however, Micky Hammond has his string in good form now and Mexican is taken to make the most of the weight that he receives.
Key Phil (FR) 13-2 Led to 3rd, headed 11th, weakened after 5 out, last of 7, well behind Undeniable at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Loriko d'Airy (FR) 16-1 Led to 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Polar Gunner at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Mar.
Xaipete (IRE) 7-1 Held up, chased leaders 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 13l behind Midlem Melody at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Bob's Buster 7-1 Held up in rear, headway 8th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Powder Creek at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Mar.
Mexican (USA) 12-1 Held up and behind, smooth headway 8th, every chance 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Powder Creek at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Mar.
