close up, headway entering final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
close up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, headway on inner to lead over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
Pirate King bids to repeat last year’s victory in this. He’s placed in a couple of Class 2 contests here recently and should make a bold bid, despite carrying a big weight, but a chance is taken on MIDNIGHTS LEGACY (NAP). The latter will be sharper for a recent comeback run here and, racing off the same mark as when successful at Haydock last summer, Alan King’s colt can figure on his second outing after wind surgery. Renardeau went close at Kempton last month and has won three of only five previous starts at this venue while Just The Man and Hydroplane have both been hurdling with the former having the stronger form on the Flat.
Pirate King 5-6fav (9-6) Led early, tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Myseven (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Just The Man (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, good headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Dobryn (11-5) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Midnights Legacy 9-2 (9-4) Raced wide close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 7, 3l behind Furzig (10-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Renardeau 5-1 (9-2) Led briefly, tracked leader over 1f, handy 3rd on inside, 2nd again over 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon ridden, headed 100 yards out, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Culture (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Hydroplane (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Midfield, took closer order 7th, ridden to challenge before 3 out, lost second approaching last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 12, 15 1/4l behind Bushypark (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.