prominent, lost place 4th, jumped slowly 7th, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before next
mid-division, hit 10th, ridden 14th, weakened next
led until headed approaching 12th, ridden 4 out, soon one pace
hit 1st, ridden 8th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before next
always towards rear, blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
in touch, ran wide, headway 7th, ridden 11th, behind when tailed off and pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, led approaching 12th until ridden and headed approaching 16th, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th to track leaders, led 16th, ridden after 3 out, kept on
held up, ridden 15th, went 2nd after 3 out, rallied last
Another close one to call may see Palisander atone for his Fakenham fall, with Dante Citizen, Follow The Flow, Paxford Jack, Jack Fuller and Harry Collins all likely to be snapping at his heels. Trainer Richard Ford has bigger fish to fry at Aintree with Forest Gunner, but may be in search of an across-the card double after this event in which Palisander is taken to overcome a lapse at Fakenham that saw him unseat Caroline Hurley. His pilot failed to restrain him enough that day and paid the penalty, but she has been his regular pilot and was on board for each of his two previous victories at Uttoxeter and Hexham, so there is no problem on that score. Dante Citizen lines up very much in form and goes in search of a hat-trick, while Follow The Flow has been ultra consistent, although his task was made easier by a rival falling two out at Towcester last time. Paxford Jack has been knocking at the door of late, and Jack Fuller showed plenty of Stamina during his latest success. Harry Collins hacked up at Fakenham but has more to do in this handicap company, and mentions should be given to Stormy Skye and Sir Cumference. Any of those could come out on top, but Palisander is the suggestion.
