tracked leader, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when headed last
mid-division, some progress 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, led approaching last, hard ridden and headed flat
in touch, mistake 7th, ridden and every chance when mistake 2 out, one pace from last
towards rear, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off
in touch, mistake 7th, slightly hampered 2 out, ridden when switched left approaching last, slightly hampered last, every chance flat, no extra
held up, headway 7th, ridden and switched left 2 out, ran on to lead under pressure flat, driven out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 5th, weakened 7th, soon tailed off
towards rear, effort from 3 out, kept on one pace
held up when fell 4th
held up, brief effort 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance flat, no extra
jumped left throughout, tracked leaders, close up 5th, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Competitive fare but we've narrowed down our short-list to The Jolly Spoofer, Quarry Town, Bob Mountain and Mexican Pete who gets the nod. The selection has yet to win a race for Alan King but this first attempt at a longer trip could turn out to be the making of him. This season has seen him run well in defeat to the likes of Pagano and Kanad whilst he stayed on strongly into eighth in the Imperial Cup. Timmy Murphy has chosen Quarry Town ahead of Tora Bora and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race but he did run a shocker on his penultimate start. Bob Mountain made a pleasing return to action over an inadequate trip at Newbury at the start of the month. This longer trip and better ground are ideal and he should have derived plenty of benefit from his outing; he should be involved in the finish. The Jolly Spoofer has yet to show his hand and a degree of guesswork must have been involved in assessing his chance. He showed improved form when stepped up to two and a half miles at Ascot before struggling back at the minimum behind a decent sort in a Sandown novice. That Ascot form has taken a few knocks but he caught the eye last time, Mick Fitzgerald is booked and he may well have more up his sleeve. Interesting stuff, we'll take a chance with Mexican Pete.
Tora Bora (GER) 40-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, slow jump 2nd and lost place, behind from 13th, 6th of 11, 47l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft in Feb.
Migwell (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Led until 3rd, led again 7th until 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 10, 34l behind El Zorro (10-11) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Mexican Pete 50-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never troubled leaders, 8th of 22, 15l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Pace Shot (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 6th, headway before 2 out, stayed on under pressure, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 18, 14l behind Backbord (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Piran (IRE) 6-4jt-fav (10-7) Jumped slightly left throughout, chased leading 3 out, hit 4th, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Time To Shine (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf in Oct '06.
Quarry Town (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 17, 20l behind Beshabar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, towards rear when fell 5 out in race won by Beshabar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd, 17 ran.
L'oudon (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, every chance flat, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Stainley (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Sir Monty (USA) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, reminder after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 24l behind First De La Brunie (9-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd.
Herecomestanley 7-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 3rd, progress 8th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 8, 18l behind Stainley (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Bob Mountain (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, 6th of 10, 19l behind Trouble At Bay (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 22l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 20l behind El Zorro (10-11) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
For All Mankind 25-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 17, 35l behind Pangbourne (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
