mid-division, lost touch 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, joined leader 9th, ridden 12th, chased winner and faded from 3 out
led 2nd, led again 6th, headed next, led approaching 3 out, ridden clear approaching 2 out, easy
led 2nd, headed briefly 6th, hit 14th, weakened when headed 3 out, pecked 2 out
track leaders, ridden 10th, weakened 13th
in touch, ridden and weakened from 13th
held up towards rear, closer order 8th, hit 11th, headway 15th, ridden 4 out to chase leaders, hit 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, tailed off from 8th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 7th
Pharaway Citizen gets the vote ahead of Sterling Dot Com, Andy's Birthday and The Lyme Volunteer. With the Tom George stable returning to form at present, Pharaway Citizen must have a great chance of getting back to winning ways after his fourth in very heavy ground at Fontwell last time. Prior to that, the gelding had bounced back to form when scoring at Taunton, and although he is a bit in and out to say the least, definitely has the ability to take a race like this. He will be tested by the likes of Sterling Dot Com though. Philip Hobbs' charge was a beaten favourite at Newbury in December when staying on at the one pace and is becoming frustrating, but he too is not over tried here. Andy's Birthday responded to a first-time tongue-tie when landing a class F handicap over the course and distance and has a bit more to do, while The Lyme Volunteer needs to come down the weights as he will struggle carrying more than older opponents. None of those line up with progressive profiles, and Pharaway Citizen is as good a choice as any in a wide-open contest.
