in rear, ridden after 4 out, chased clear pair approaching 2 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, easily
chased leader, ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
raced keen, led, not fluent 2nd, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon headed and weakened
Grand Bleu won well on his debut in France and can go in again at the main expense of King's Revenge and Supsonic. The market will be a good guide here but this does not look a strong event and as our selection hails from a top yard and made an impressive winning debut on testing ground he should be good enough to land this. King's Revenge was a hot favourite when he got turned over last time at Taunton and although he would be in with a shout here on his best efforts, it is a worry that his yard are not firing on all cylinders at present. Supsonic had a really tough race last time at Sandown and there is a concern that he might not have fully recovered from that. He should be thereabouts though at the finish, but Grand Bleu should be the one to beat if the market speaks in his favour.
Archimboldo (USA) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 26l behind My Petra (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Grand Bleu (IRE) (10-1) won at Fontainebleau 2m 1f hdl sft in Dec beating Kaldonn Speed (10-1) by 2l, 16 ran.
Supsonic 10-1 (11-6) With winner, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, faded from last, 4th of 11, 17l behind Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
King's Revenge 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, soon hard pressed, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Lead On (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Khachaturian (IRE) 5-2fav (10-9) Led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 11, shd behind Stainley (11-0) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
