in touch, pecked first, mistake and lost place 2nd, ridden after 5th, kept on approaching last, never dangerous
made virtually all, ridden 2 out, ran on
always behind
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression
always behind
always behind
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
prominent until weakened after 5th
in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
The Local can land a hat-trick in the finale with Honan, Jour De Mee and Beyond Borders the main dangers on the evidence so far. Tom Greenall is one of the better amateur riders and his booking for The Local should ensure that Charlie Egerton's gelding makes a bold bid to justify favouritism again, having cost the bookies on his last two starts at Warwick and Plumpton. The son of Selkirk goes well in soft ground and if allowed an uncontested lead as he was nine days ago when ridden by Tony McCoy, then they will struggle to pick him up in these conditions. The handicapper will have his measure soon enough but he looks good for one more win at least. Honan won a bumper at Newton Abbot in April but is taking time to get the hang of things over hurdles and was well beaten by Mystery at Wincanton on Boxing Day. The latter has since followed up but even so it is hard to make a strong case for Pipe's runner. Jour De Mee has more on his plate than when second in a seller here last time, with the third that day, Beyond Borders, much better off at the weights this time. The latter has place claims at least but for the winner we rely on The Local.
