close up in last place, smooth headway 3 out, pressed winner 2 out, soon led, challenged last, headed final strides
tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, weakened flat
headway to press winner 2nd until ridden 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before next
in touch, headway 2 out, ridden and every chance last, driven and no extra near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, driven 2 out, weakened flat
set steady pace, ridden 3 out, mistake next and soon headed, rallied between horses to lead near finish
Nowurhurlin won this a year ago and struggled after his weight rise but has been slowly dropping in the ratings and with his rider's claim taken into consideration is just 1lb higher. He will make a bold attempt complete the long-range double but IMJOEKING looks the one to be on. Lucinda Russell's charge has won a bumper, a point-to-point and a maiden hurdle at Ayr in just five starts and though a bit fortunate when a rival ran out at the second last on his latest start he may have won anyway and looks a very nice prospect. Walser has now finished runner-up three times in succession, all over 2m4f. He could be suited by the shorter trip but is only receiving 1lb from the selection. Lexington Bay showed some potential over this trip at Wetherby but ran poorly at Musselburgh earlier this month.
Imjoeking (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, led approaching 3 out, left clear 2 out, stayed on, won at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan beating Halo Moon (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Walser (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, went 3rd 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, challenged last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Dunowen Point (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Launchpad 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, no extra approaching straight, 8th of 14, well behind Go All The Way (11-12) at Killarney 2m 4f beg chs gd in Jul.
Nowurhurlin (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on again under under pressure flat, 4th of 9, 11l behind Drussell (10-13) at Ludlow 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Lexington Bay (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, pushed along when jumped slowly 7th, well behind 9th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Salubrious (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
My Idea 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, fell 9th, in a race won by Rapidolyte De Ladalka (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chase (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
