held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, led on bit last, ran on well
held up, in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, led and hit 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, raced keenly, led after 6th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, driven after 3 out, soon lost place, blundered last
tracked leader, raced keenly, effort approaching 2nd last, kept on same pace
behind, headway 4 out, blundered badly next, soon weakened
led, jumped left throughout, headed after 3 out, soon faded
took keen hold, held up, headway under pressure 3 out, soon pace
The three talented horses that head the weights all have plenty to prove so can be opposed unless attracting sustained market support. We'll put Premier Des Marais forwards this afternoon but Katess may have more to offer. This may be the best time to catch Kicks For Free but he couldn't be backed with any confidence whilst Chiaro has shown next to nothing. En La Cruz is interesting as she was still clear when falling four out at Haydock on her reappearance but she weakened rapidly over 3 miles here last time. Ned Ludd, Irish Legend and Deep Reflection are fairly exposed which leaves Katess and the selection. Katess was impressive last time but has been raised by a stone and a half for her troubles and this is potentially tougher. Gary Moore's French bred bumped into a gambled on and well handicapped Henderson runner in a Sandown handicap that was run at a crawl last time. He's only been raised by 3lbs for that run and Premier Des Marais makes plenty of appeal in this contest.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 22, 24l behind Two Miles West (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Chiaro (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 11th of 14, 29l behind Five Dream (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
En La Cruz (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Prominent to 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sovietica (10-2) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Oh Crick (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Irish Legend (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, effort 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Backbord (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd, 14 ran.
Katess (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, ridden and led approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Soixante (11-12) by 13l, 16 ran.
Desert Jim (FR) (11-0) Prominent until led before 2 out, driven out, won at Angers 2m 4f hcp hdl in Nov beating Le Quelis (10-10) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Premier Des Marais (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Pamak D'airy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
Deep Reflection 9-2fav (11-9) Prominent, effort 3 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 15, 7l behind Khasab (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
