led, quickened pace over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd final strides
raced keenly tracking leaders, headway out wide 2f out, ridden went 2nd and hung left over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
raced keenly, held up in 5th, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, soon beaten
held up off the pace in last pair, headway out wide over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
held up off the pace in rear, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leader 7f, handy 3rd, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, weakened turning in, eased when no chance over 1f out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9f out, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Love Poems has been very consistent but at a lower level. Reverend Hubert remains unexposed on Turf but returns from a break, as does Merlin’s Beard. Prince Abu was only beaten a head by MAN OF RIDDLES at Southwell last month and is 3lb better off but we’ll stick with David Simcock’s improving stayer as his old rival has disappointed in previous visits here.
Orin Swift (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led until 6f out, soon dropped to 3rd, ridden to lead again inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, chased winner after but well held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Cochise (9-10) at Southwell 2m 2f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Reverend Hubert (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Slow into stride, soon recovered to track leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Secret Shadow (8-9) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Merlin's Beard 10-11fav (9-4) Close up in 4th, headway to chase leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, comfortable, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Sep beating Nicks Not Wonder (10-5) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Man Of Riddles (USA) 2-5fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader entering final 3f, ridden over 1f out when rider dropped rein, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Apr beating Sweet Dime (9-1) by 1l, 4 ran.
Prince Abu (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Steadied start and awkwardly away, held up off the pace in last pair, good headway near side rail over 2f out, disputing 2nd inside final 2f, led over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, rallied, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Man Of Riddles (9-8) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Second Kingdom 25-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, close up when ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Berrahri (9-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Love Poems (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) Midfield, ridden 3f out, switched wide over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd final furlong, could not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Berrahri (9-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
