led, mistake 5th and 8th, headed 13th, blundered 15th, weakened approaching next, behind when pulled up before last
held up, headway 6th, led 13th, ridden 3 out, left clear last
held up, headway 9th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance when fell last
held up, lost touch from 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent to 4th, lost place 7th, mistake 10th, soon tailed off
prominent to 13th, left poor 2nd last
Not a bad contest to set before the Prince in the race named after him, and it should turn into a battle between Cold Encounter and Channahrlie, with preference for the latter. Channahrlie lines up in search of a hat-trick after successes at Warwick and Lingfield. On each occasion forcing tactics have helped and no doubt will be employed again here. The French-bred will appreciate the fast conditions underfoot, and although a stiffer track would increase our confidence, he can still take the beating under Timmy Malone. Polly Gundry's mount, Cold Encounter is obviously the main danger after impressive wins at Bangor, Kempton and Fontwell. Like the selection, his jumping has been spot-on, and although he is rising up the weights, has big claims. He has had fitness on his side though, and might soon start to feel the handicapper's cold breath though. Blazing Batman is out of the weights and has plummeted down the ratings since his best days, but is at least consistent, while Phar From A Fiddle was pulled up behind the very useful Swansea Bay at Kempton but had performed with credit earlier. He will lack for nothing in the saddle from Rilly Goschen. We will take Channahrlie to score again.
