tracked leading pair, joined leader 5th until not much room and lost place after 4 out, effort next, switced right and disputed 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
led, set steady pace, joined 5th, headed 3 out, soon driven, ridden and stayed on to go clear 2nd last, held flat
tracked leader, challenged 5th, driven to lead 3 out, ridden next, stayed on flat
PLUNKETT left a good impression when a very comfortable scorer at Ffos Las and can follow-up here, with Gifted Leader perhaps next best. The latter has not yet won on good ground but handles conditions well enough and he has to be considered a threat, with some solid form on the board and over a trip that should suit. Shakalakaboomboom is unproven on decent ground and did not get home over a similar trip last time, but given connections are persevering there is presumably some ability there and he is respected. Worth A King's goes well on fast ground on the Flat, so this should be okay for him, and he showed improvement over hurdles last time. He could step up again and go close here, though preference is for Plunkett. The Evan Williams-trained gelding showed a penchant for good ground and this trip when scoring at Ffos Las and he looks capable of defying a penalty to follow-up.
Gifted Leader (USA) 2-1fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4th, held when left poor 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 22l behind Troubletimestwo (10-1) at Doncaster 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd.
Plunkett (IRE) 15-8 (10-9) In touch, led 2 out, soon driven clear, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Jun beating Older And Wiser (10-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Worth A King's 13-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 5th, ridden when mistake 2 out, one pace last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Rougham (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5th led 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakend between last 2, 5th of 11, 19l behind Universal Soldier (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Vin De Roy (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden and reminders 7f out, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Life Long (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
