held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, driven clear flat
led on outside to 5th, weakened 3 out
prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace from last
pulled hard towards rear, headway and led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before last
mid-division, headway and chased leader 6th, ridden after 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, kept on same place flat
towards rear, ridden after 7th, weakened 2 out
held up last, ridden after 7th, one pace
chased leader, mistake 4th, behind 5th, pulled up before 7th
chased leader, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off from last
prominent, ridden and chased leader 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up last, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
A large field goes to post for this seller, but on closer inspection not many can be given a serious chance of winning, and the principals look to be Bekstar, Kings Castle and Ashgan, and the tentative vote is given to Bekstar. The selection was a fair second in a better race behind Bassoon last time out. The drop in grade should suit and, off what looks a handy mark, he will be hard to beat. King's Castle rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Achilles Wings. This represents a drop in class but his best form of late has been over a longer trip, and for that reason he is opposed. Ashgan was third behind Penny's Crown last time and is another with place claims, but he often finds less than expected off the bridle and he looks to have plenty of weight too. Of the remainder, Monsal Dale is from a yard in form and could go well at a price, while Running Times looks to be on a handy mark but, in a race that throws up more questions than answers and where stakes should be kept to a minimum, for the winner we return to Bekstar.
Kings Castle (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden and every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Achilles Wings (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jun.
Ashgan (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leader, outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from next, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Penny's Crown (11-3) at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Dec.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Never a factor, 13th of 15, well behind Be Be King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Bekstar 11-2 (10-7) Mistake 1st, prominent, led 4th until blundered 7th, driven to lead after 3 out, headed last, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Assoon (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f clm hdl (F) gd in Nov.
Mizinky 33-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 22l behind Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Will She Spin 150-1 (10-3) Always behind, no impression, last of 12, 45l behind Treaty Flyer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Monsal Dale (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Reluctant to line up, held up, headway approaching last, stayed on to take moderate 3rd last stride, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Isam Top (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Running Times (USA) 14-1 (10-0) Led to 3rd, with leader until hit 5th, weakened 3 out, last of 8, 13l behind Naked Oat (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
