led until fell 2nd
took keen hold, held up until brought down 2nd
left 3rd and slightly hampered 2nd, stayed in 3rd behind clear leader, hit 6th, ridden to dispute modest 2nd from 2 out, closed and about 1 length down when left in slight lead last, driven clear flat
pulled hard, tracking leader and racing wide when left in lead 2nd, settled 2nd soon after, led before 3rd, soon clear, reduced lead before last, 1 length ahead and coming under pressure when fell last
tracking leaders when left 2nd at 2nd, led soon after, headed approaching 3rd, chased clear leader after, mistake 2 out, closed with winner before last, left close 2nd last, no extra flat
tracking leader when brought down 2nd
MARJU KING produced a much better effort at Hereford last time without looking like winning, but that still looks the best recent form on offer here. He gets the vote ahead of Shipboard Romance, whose second at Worcester is her best effort, but she's returning from nearly a year off the track. French raider Splendid Life was beaten a distance despite finishing third in a hurdle race in the provinces last time, while Munich was a tailed off third of five on his latest start having ran well at Plumpton before that. What's For Tea is out of sorts and Near Germany hasn't raced since 2008.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 39l behind Pennellis (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov '10.
Marju King (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway soon after 2 out, hung left under pressure and stayed on same pace from last,, 6th of 15, 8l behind Rolanta (10-13) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Splendid Life (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 6, 26l behind Pick Well (11-2) at Salon-de-provence(FR) 2m 3f clm hdl.
Near Germany (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) In touch, led 6th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 33l behind I'm A Legend (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb '08.
Munich (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, reminders 5th, went remote 3rd 8th, plugged on, 3rd of 5, well behind Mangonel (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
What's For Tea 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened and tailed off from 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tribal Dance (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft, 10 ran.
