in touch, ridden 4 out, chased leading pair from next, no impression soon after 2 out
chased leaders, reminders and dropped to last 6th, well behind after
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, well behind when hit next
not fluent and ran in snatches, chased winner throughout, driven to challenge and upside 2 out, always held
made all, joined and hit 3 out, in command well before next, soon clear, easily (hand timed)
Not the strongest-ever line-up for the 'National Spirit' in which the vote goes to United ahead of Refinement. Refinement, who is rated 151, concedes four pounds today to United, who is rated 145. Both are very useful and there might not be much between them at the finish today, although United had Refinement 20 lengths behind her when winning at Sandown in January, although the latter is five pounds better off at the weights today. All in all, then - with the one-time useful Korelo having something to prove at present - we will offer up United as the selection.
Hereditary 3-1fav (11-1) Held up last, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, in command last, driven clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Nobel Bleu de Kerpau (10-8) by 7l, 12 ran.
Korelo (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Not fluent, held up, struggling and behind 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Lord of Beauty (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Ridden 6th, always behind, 9th of 12, 24l behind Rio De Janeiro (10-7) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Refinement (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, virtually fell 5th, not recover and pulled up at the 5th in race won by Taranis (10-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs, 16 ran.
United (GER) 2-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, led next, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan beating Chamoss Royale (10-13) by 2l, 6 ran.
