raced wide, close up in 5th, outpaced before 3 out, soon no chance, left modest 4th last
raced on inside, tracked leaders, led narrowly before 6th, headed 3 out, disputing well held 2nd when mistake and unseated rider last
raced widest of all, chased leaders, challenged 6th, led 3 out, clear before next, easily
chased leader, chased winner from 3 out, well held before next
harried for lead, made most until headed before 6th, driven in 3rd after 3 out until next, left modest 3rd last
Not a strong race by any means and a repeat of PRINCELY HERO's fourth to Lord Ragnar may be enough to come home in-front of Phantom Lad and Noticeable. Beaten by six lengths at the line at Newbury, the selection put up a bold display seeing as the winner is a smart horse. He faces an easier task today and looks sure to run well with Roddy Greene back in the saddle. Phantom Lad handles testing ground and is far from exposed on these shores. This ex-Irish horse was decent on the flat and looks handicapped to strike sooner rather than later. Noticeable is a decent chaser but he was well-held at Fakenham when reverting to hurdles last time and must have going concerns today, whilst Nomadic Warrior is strictly held by Phantom Lad on their run behind Akarshan but he may appreciate the more testing ground today. The consistent Spider Boy completes the line-up and looked unlucky to bump into Sun Quest last time. The yard landed a gamble at the weekend so the market should help pinpoint his chance today. However this looks a good opportunity for Princely Hero to score.
Noticeable (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened and hit next, last of 9, well behind Sonning Star (10-7) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Princely Hero (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Led 2nd, not fluent 2 out, headed last, no extra, 4th of 11, 6l behind Lord Ragnar (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft.
Phantom Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led or disputed lead until clear advantage after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 15, 11l behind Akarshan (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Nomadic Warrior 15-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 14l behind Akarshan (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Spider Boy 7-2fav (9-12) Led, pushed along after 5th, headed approaching 6th, chased winner, hit last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Sun Quest (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.