held up in rear but well in touch, headway 6th, led 4 out, pressed from 2 out, pushed out and ran on well flat
keen hold, held up in touch, smooth headway and tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden and beaten before next
keen hold, held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out
led and set moderate pace, headed 4 out and weakened before next
keen hold, held up in touch, headway 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, not quicken flat
chased leader to 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, every chance from 2 out, not quicken and well held final 100 yards
A decent contest with last year's runner-up Stromness bidding to go one better. Alan King's gelding has done nothing but improve since then and will be difficult to beat under prevailing conditions. In receipt of 4lbs from main market rival Classified, he gets the vote. The latter is himself a high class hurdler, but he seemed to take an age to wear down his stablemate Mr Cool at Cheltenham last time. He stays extremely well, but he may find this trip on an easy track an insufficient test. Last years winning stable are represented by Telimar Prince, who is open to improvement, but he looks to have a bit to find with the front pair. Whatever his fate today, he appeals as a horse to follow in the future. Comex Flyer is a useful handicapper, but that is all he is, while both Alka International and Marcus William look outclassed. Milligan has yet to prove he stays this far, but he does have a good turn of foot if the race is run at a crawl.
