slowly into stride, soon in rear, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
close up in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, slightly outpaced, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not reached leaders
led, taken up over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
started slowly, took keen hold in 5th, ridden and no impression approaching final furlong, soon one pace
raced keenly, tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
pressed leader, effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong
The Magic Blanket may be able to get his new campaign underway with a win but only Walragnek can be dismissed with any confidence. Stoneacre Chris has run well in races dominated by his stable but looks to have something to find on the form book as does Honest Value who showed improved form in first time cheekpieces last time out. There's nothing to choose between the remaining three runners but Ben has passed up similar opportunities in the past so is easy enough to pass over again. Shatter Resistant has left Mick Channon since getting turned over in a Musselburgh seller but he didn't look too keen that day and is flattered by his rating on that evidence. In contrast, The Magic Blanket has been running right up to his best since joining Steff Liddiard. He lacks a recent run but that shouldn't be a concern with his yard going well and The Magic Blanket has solid claims of opening his account.
Walragnek 16-1 (9-3) Pulled hard and soon tracking leaders, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 13l behind Cape of Storms (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Feb.
Ben 33-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and some headway on inside 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Opus Maximus (8-12) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol.
Honest Value (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Upstanding (9-5) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Shatter Resistant (IRE) Evensfav (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon hung right, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind dhtrs Thomas Malory (8-11) & Rope Bridge (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo sll (6) gf in Aug.
The Magic Blanket (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Chased leader, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Asian Power (9-4) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Sept.
Stoneacre Chris (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Stoneacre Sarah (8-8) at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.