tracked leader, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened
led, not fluent 3 out, headed before next, weakened last
chased leaders, slow 1st, every chance 2 out, led after last, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led approaching 2 out, headed after last, no extra closing stages
chased leaders, mistake 7th, lost place 11th, soon tailed off, pulled up 2 out
Charming Zen has been a bit disappointing the last twice and isn’t proven over a trip this far. Dicosimo has also been racing over 2m and may find today’s going a bit lively. Townshend is on a long losing run but fairly treated on his form when trained in Ireland. JUNCTION FOURTEEN hasn’t been getting home over 3m so a drop in trip should be to his advantage. He could be allowed to dominate this small field so gets the vote with Robbing The Prey’s only decent run this season coming last time over hurdles.
Junction Fourteen (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) 6th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Rathlin Rose (10-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Dicosimo (FR) 11-2 (12-1) 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Lillington (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Townshend (GER) 10-3 (11-12) 4th of 5, 24 1/2l behind Princeton Royale (12-2) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Charming Zen (FR) 9-1 (10-12) 2nd of 4, 14l behind Hatcher (11-4) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Apr.
Robbing The Prey (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Honourary Gift (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar.
