mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 8th, clear after 3 out, ridden next, headed and no extra towards finish
prominent, hit 5th and 12th, ridden 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in rear, headway and mistake 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well to lead towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, pecked 7th, headed next, ridden 12th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, hit 8th, headway 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
This probably won't take much winning as most of the field lack a recent outing, but one who does come here fit and in form is last years winner Mount Prague, who looks sure to make a bold bid to follow up off a 1lb lower mark than last year. Kim Bailey's gelding hasn't won since taking this last year, but that was due to the Handicapper more than anything else as he raised him up 9lbs for beating the exposed El Cordobes half-a-length. Back down now to a more suitable mark now, he should make no mistake. World Wide Web showed no aptitude for jumping on his chasing debut and is best watched for the time being, while the likes of course and distance winner Follow The Trend and Quainton Hills would both be happier on a softer surface. The main danger may come from Joyeux Royal, who rather lost his way over fences after beating Soeur Fontenail at Plumpton last year. He failed to complete in three subsequent outings over fences, but freshened up by a long summer break, he is reported to have schooled well since and he may be the one to follow Mount Prague home.
