mid-division, headway after 5th, effort approaching 3 out, one pace
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden every chance 3 out and 2 out, not pace of winner flat
led to 1st, led after 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
prominent, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed approaching next, one pace
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, no impression
fell 1st
led after 1st to approaching 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 4th, pulled up before 3 out
held up last, headway 3rd, led approaching 2 out, driven out flat
South O' The Border has ability but he was last seen tailed off on the flat in May and has a bit to prove; we prefer top-weight KING CAINE ahead of Widely Accepted. Paul Nicholls' gelding is a course and distance winner, with that success being his sole victory in eight starts. He has acquitted himself well in better races and looks sure to come on for his latest start; a big run looks on the cards. Dominican Monk is now nine years of age and has obviously had his problems; he has't run badly on two recent runs and should be thereabouts again, Widely Accepted also ran well in defeat last time, Prince Louis needs to get over a poor recent reappearance, whilst William Bonney is perhaps high enough in the weights over both sets of obstacles. At a price Santarctique is unexposed and could run well is on a going day. Competitive once again, but King Caine can land it.
King Caine (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 4 out, outpaced next, jumped left and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 9, 28l behind Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
William Bonney (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In touch, raced keenly, lost place after 4th, stayed on same pace approaching last, 6th of 10, 9l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
South O'The Border 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Zilcash (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gs in May.
Mud Monkey 20-1 (11-8) Close up until ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Wizard of Us (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Dominican Monk (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 1st, went left 2nd, headway after 8th, went 3rd after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 33l behind Deep Purple (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Widely Accepted (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Mujamead (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Santarctique (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, well behind Olympian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Young Tot (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Chased leader and raced wide, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 13, well behind Olympian (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Archie Gunn 7-1 (10-2) Pulled hard, held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on, soon held, hung left flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Theatre Diva (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Prince Louis (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Always in rear, lost touch before 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 13 ran.
Suntini (GER) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 4th, headway next, stumbled after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Benetwood (11-6) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '07.
