tracked leader, jumped well, hard driven approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure
made all, jumped well, driven clear approaching last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, under pressure 6th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, went 3rd halfway, under pressure after 3 out, weakened, after next
MERCIAN KING returned to chasing at Stratford last month and found only one too good. Amy Murphy’s charge is preferred to Royal Plaza, who was still well beaten when placed at Towcester recently and would prefer some cut in the ground. Le Precieux remains unexposed over fences but unseated after a mistake at Fakenham last time when sent off favourite while Purple 'n Gold has failed to figure since winning last year’s renewal off a higher mark.
Mercian King (IRE) 7-1 (12-1) Chased clear leaders, close up 3 out, led next, ridden between last 2, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Modeligo (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
Royal Plaza 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, led 5out, headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in, last of 3, 14 1/4l behind Take To Heart (10-12) at Towcester 2m 6f (4) gf in May.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led and set good pace, headed 4th (water), pressed leader who steadied tempo, in lead briefly 8th, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 7, dist behind Lillington (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Le Precieux (FR) 6-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, keen, led 4th, blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
