mid-division, headway 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually faded
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden after 6th, soon dropped rear, went right 3 out
prominent, led after 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened
held up, fell 4th
held up, badly hampered 4th, ridden after 6th, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, hit 2 out and last
held up, headway 7th, led 3 out, kept on well, ridden out
led until after 3rd, prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened
Alan King has a strong hand here with Zilcash and Risk Runner and preference is for Risk Runner, with President Royal an obvious danger. Jockey bookings suggest that Risk Runner is the pick of the King pair, although it must be beared in mind that this has misled punters recently regarding the stable. However it was hard not to be impressed with the way that Risk Runner won at Uttoxeter and whilst this company looks much tougher, he looks to have improved considerably over the summer. Zilcash stays well and has some very useful early form behind Wichita Lineman, so he cannot be ruled out despite having to give weight away all round. At The Money is sure to have come on for his recent run, whilst Paradi needs to put a disappointing recent run behind him. Cantabilly is game, but may be outclassed today, so of more interest may be President Royal. Along with Gabier, he is out of the handicap, but he has shown ability in the past although he did look held when falling last time out. A good race here, and preference is for Risk Runner.
Zilcash 5-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and no impression on leaders after 3 out, 5th of 9, 16l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 3rd, not much room on bend on inside approaching 5th, always in rear, 20th of 24, 48l behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
At The Money 18-1 (11-7) Led, jumped violently right 5th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 19, 30l behind Mendo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Paradi (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders when badly hampered and lost place 5th, behind tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mendo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Risk Runner (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Always in touch, went 2nd 9th, led before 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, driven out flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov beating No Greater Love (10-10) by 5l, 18 ran.
Cantabilly (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Held up, driven and struggling after 4 out, 7th of 8, 15l behind Chomba Womba (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Gabier 9-1 (10-6) In touch, lost place 3 out, soon driven, headway approaching last, stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 4l behind Missis Potts (10-13) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
President Royal (FR) 5-6fav (10-7) Led and not fluent 1st, headed and mistake 4 out, ridden and held when fell 3 out in race won by Nation State (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gf in Oct, 4 ran.
