held up, in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden and effort before next, beaten when mistake last
held up, in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
made all, shaken up to go clear approaching last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
chased winner throughout, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, went left 2nd, ridden next, kept on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat
Helen Wood is in cracking form at present and should not be opposed here to complete a hat-trick, while President Royal, Cantabilly and Orlyheart can all go well. The David Pipe-trained selection looks very much a progessive filly who has gone up the handicap accordingly, but may well still be in front of the assessor. Wins at Leicester and Fontwell, the latter when her rider dropped his whip, have both been on soft ground and she has already shown she handles heavy, so we will side with her. President Royal has just looked a little once paced up to press and would need to show more than we have seen to be good enough here. Cantabilly is a decent dual purpose horse who has to shoulder top weight here courtesy of a Taunton success last time. A gutsy performer, he may give the selection most to do despite his welter burden. Orlyheart is certainly an interesting contender on his British debut. He was a winner last time out at Pau, he handles conditions well and an eye on the market is the best advice we can give as far as his chances are concerned, but preference is for Helen Wood.
Cantabilly (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Chased leader, led 6th, went clear after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs beating Shambar (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Hung right on bend, prominent, went wnd after 2nd, led approaching 5th, headed 6th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 16l behind Malakiya (10-7) at Stratford 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
President Royal (FR) 6-4fav (10-0) With leader, led 3rd, headed after 2 out, one pace approaching last, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Khasab (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Orlyheart (FR) (10-6) Led halfway, stayed on strongly, won at Pau 2m 1f clm in Jan beating Bernburg (10-8) by a distance, 16 ran.
Kinetic Power (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 31l behind Mountain (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs.
Honour's Dream (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Led after 1st, headed approaching 5th, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 41l behind Stumped (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Helen Wood 15-8jt-fav (10-2) Held up, smooth headway, to lead on bit after 3 out, in no danger when rider dropped whip flat, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Scarlet Mix (10-13) by 4l, 9 ran.
