tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, no extra flat
made all, driven out (no time taken)
tracked winner, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, one pace
held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out
A small field in which none of the runners should be instantly disregarded, but BUREAUCRAT looks the one to beat, and perhaps the most likely to do so would be Sadler's Star or Treasury Counsel. However we think that if he runs, Milton Harris' gelding can complete a quick hat-trick, having won a seller in what was his last run for Phillip Hobbs just over a week ago and a claimer in what was his debut for his new yard yesterday. Sadler's Star has been expensive and frustrating to follow, and remains a maiden after 14 runs, but undoubtedly has some ability. Treasury Counsel is having his fourth outing for Evan Williams after previously being with Nicky Henderson; the yard are famed for turning around others' cast-offs but his jumping hasn't been the most fluent, and he may not have too many more opportunities, but first time cheekpieces and being joint-bottom weight could prove to be the difference. However, if turned out in successive days, our preference would be for Bureaucrat.
Sadler's Star (GER) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, chased winner 3 out until not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Arkose (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Classic Chic 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, reminders and lost place 6th, outpaced when mistake and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Freedom Flying (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 14 ran.
Muntami (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened approaching last, 9th of 12, well behind Is It Me (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf in Oct.
Earlsfield Raider 6-4fav (10-7) Held up in touch, not fluent 2 out, badly hampered when disputing 2nd last, rallied flat, led towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gs beating Alrafid (10-11) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 15-2 (10-8) Held up, headway to go 3rd 5th, hit 9th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 6, 19l behind Orchard King (11-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Bureaucrat 4-6fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, went 2nd after 6th, ridden to lead narrowly after 2 out, hanging right approaching last, headed flat, regained lead post (no time taken), won at Hereford 2m 4f sell (5) gd beating Little Firecracker (10-2) by ns, 7 ran.
Malmoos (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lord Generous (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
