After rattling up a hat-trick, Young Merlin was fancied for a valuable novices’ handicap at Worcester last month but he weakened quickly on the final circuit and looks a chaser in the making. MONJULES won three times last season, including twice here. He placed twice off this sort of mark later and gives the impression he’ll improve again for this step up in trip. This is a very competitive contest, however, as Pearly Island won in this grade over course and distance in March and Issam did nothing but improve last season. Mr Freedom is a prolific winner who made a satisfactory reappearance over track and trip and fellow four-year-old Kansas Du Berlais is a dual course winner who should be ready to roll.
Mr Freedom 6-4fav (10-2) Held up in rear, smooth progress before 2 out where an in-touch 4th, soon ridden, pressed for 2nd approaching last, soon chased leader, kept on run-in but not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Soul Icon (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Issam (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Disputed lead, led after 3rd, not fluent 3 out and joined, shaken up and led narrowly last where not fluent, ridden and asserted run-in, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Kepagge (12-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Young Merlin (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, mistake 6th, soon struggling, behind after next, pulled up before last, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Pearly Island 15-2 (11-4) Raced wide initially, held up in rear, switched sharply left to inside and tracked leader 5th, pushed along and lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 19l behind Blow Your Wad (11-11) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Monjules (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out and no progress, left in modest 3rd at last, 3rd of 8, 13 1/4l behind Inferno Sacree (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in May.
Kansas Du Berlais (FR) 11-2fav (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, weakened quickly after 3 out, 7th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Under Control (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Whydah Gally 5-1 (11-7) In rear, pushed along after 11th, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon no impression, plugged on, 3rd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Tip Top Mountain (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
I Love You Sivola (FR) (10-7) 8th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Frimousse (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 1f hcp hvy in Mar.
