tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, ridden to lead 2 out, ridden out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, in 3rd when blundered 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, reminders after 4 out, soon pushed along and lost place approaching 3 out
held up, took closer order approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
led, hit 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on under pressure run-in
held up, hit 4th, pushed along and reminders 6th, lost place from next
The Cheltenham Festival claims of Bagan can receive another boost here and the Charlie Mann-trained six-year-old is expected to have the edge over Rambling Minister and Savanagh Bay. The latter was useful on the Flat but has obviously suffered a set back since switching to the Phillip Hobbs yard. He now has his fitness to prove after 111 days out of action and looks a risky proposition for a recommendation without the assistance of a pre-race betting market. Rambling Minister can pull a little hard in his races and will need to be at the top of his game in this stiffer company than he has faced of late. Andrew Thornton takes over the steering this afternoon but his mount appears to have a little to find on balance. Romany Prince looks the better alternative from the two Steve Gollings-trained runners, and he is definitely one to monitor closely in the betting. Gollings sent out the winner of this race last year and he can play a strong hand again today. His charge, a son of Robellino, fared well in a Grade Two hurdle here in January but was little below par when he was last seen out. Even so, he is still unexposed and, as he still holds entries at the Festival it will be very interesting if he come in for support this afternoon. However, Bagan has really started to come into his own since he switched to the winter game and, even under a double penalty, he is going to be a very tough customer to deal with this afternoon.
Bagan (FR) 4-1 Close up, challenged on outer and led 2 out, in command before last, driven out, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan beating Senor Sedona by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Rambling Minster 4-1jt-fav Held up towards rear, effort under pressure approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 16l behind Chamoss Royale at Kempton 3m hcp hdl (B) gd in Jan.
King of The Light 33-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out, 9th of 14, well behind Supreme Leisure at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Romany Prince 13-8fav Held up in rear, headway to track leaders 6th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Red Georgie at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Savannah Bay 7-2co-fav Held up in rear, ridden after 6th, soon beaten, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Brewster at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Seattle Prince (USA) 7-2 In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, well behind Corlande at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Pretty Star (GER) 11-2 Prominent, chased leader after 3 out, led narrowly last, driven and held on under pressure flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb beating Kjetil by a hd, 15 ran.
