in touch, effort when slightly hampered 3f out, led on bit 1f out, shaken up, driven out
in touch, led over 7f out, headed over 5f out, soon weakened
prominent, soon led, keen and hung left, headed over 7f out, weakened 4f out
held up, closer order 5f out, ridden and weakened 4f out
tracked leaders, led 5f out, ridden when headed 1f out, no extra
held up, headway 5f out, hung left on bend over 2f out, soon chasing leading pair, no impression
held up, headway 5f out, soon ridden to chase leaders and weakened 2f out
led early, stayed prominent, led again briefly over 5f out, weakened 3f out
The form of those to have raced doesn't really light any fires and so we will take a chance on newcomer China Gold ahead of Wandering Minstral. The selection comes from a stable who know how to ready a newcomer and whilst his pedigree doesn't scream class (unsold as a four year old), his dam won her bumper and he looks sure to go well for his powerful stable. Perkin Warbeck plugged on for a remote second on his debut and is entitled to be wiser today, whilst Custom House Girl makes her debut and needs watching in the betting. Lordy comes from a stable who do well in this sphere but he has shown little to date, so of more interest may be Wandering Minstrel who holds Lustara on their run behind Ashley's Petale last month. The market will help provide some further clues however we are happy to return to China Gold to make a winning start.
China Gold Bob's Return gelding out of winning bumper and hurdler Oh So Bright.
Corton Copse 100-1 (10-11) Behind from halfway, last of 17, well behind Shalone (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Henry Beauclerc 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 42l behind Call Me A Legend (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Lordy (NZ) 17-2 (10-13) In touch, outpaced over 5f out, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 25l behind Lake Legend (10-5) at Kempton 2m mdn nhf (4) gs.
Perkin Warbeck 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 7f, ridden over 5f out, stayed on same pace to go 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 20l behind Have You Seen Me (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (4) gs.
Wandering Minstral 6-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 7f, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Ashleys Petale (10-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f mdn nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Kentford Serotina 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 3f, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 15, 34l behind Have You Seen Me (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (4) gs.
Lustara 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 13l behind Ashleys Petale (10-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f mdn nhf (6) gd in Feb.
Custom House Girl (IRE) Flemensfirth mare, half-sister to winning hurdler Good Samaritan.
