held up, lost touch 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
led until 2nd, led again 9th, headed 15th, soon ridden and one pace
held up, mistake 2nd, soon behind, pulled up 8th
led 2nd, mistake 5th, headed 9th, led again 4 out, soon headed, driven and led 2 out, ran on
held up in touch, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up, headway 12th, mistake next, led 3 out, headed next, one pace
Although a course winner Jokers Charm has yet to convince over this trip and with El Cordobes likely to set a strong pace, these runners will need to stay every yard of this trip, so with that in mind a chance is taken with Sparky Gayle's half-brother, Strong Magic, even though he hasn't won for nearly two-years. He showed he handle this sharp track when runner-up to local favourite Easton Gale over course and distance last year off a mark of 94. Able to run off an 8lbs lower mark here makes him an interesting runner. Clear Dawn is back down to the mark he won off at Wetherby two-years ago, but he didn't look as though he was a winner waiting to happen on his comeback at Bangor earlier this month, where he was soon struggling. A bold front-running chaser at his best, El Cordobes has been far from fluent recently, but this dual-course winner reserves his best for here and if he is allowed too much rope up front, he could prove difficult to peg back, even over a trip which is beyond his best. However, he could just set the race up nicely for Strong Magic, who is taken to outstay his rival in the closing stages.
