led and set fast pace, headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, good headway on outer to tracked leaders after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and not pace of winner
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, in 3rd before next, every chance last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led before 2 out, ridden and clear run-in
in rear, headway before 5 out, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden, one pace in 4th
Nicky Henderson enjoys an outstanding 31 per cent strike rate here over the past five years, a figure which could well be boosted by FOREVER FIELD. The Beneficial gelding lost his form after landing two of his first four starts but his latest run, an excellent runner-up effort to Brotherly Company at Kempton, suggests he's been coaxed back to form by his master trainer. He has been raised 5lb as a result of that improved performance but a repeat would see him hard to beat. Marju's Quest has proved a good servant to David Dennis, netting half a dozen wins for the yard and seems the obvious threat, although he may struggle to concede 2lb to a rejuvenated Forever Field. Handsome Dan goes nicely around here whilst an in-form King Muro could take a hand too. Countersign is likely to need the run.
Marju's Quest (IRE) 11-4fav (12-2) Led until before 5th where not fluent, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Jinsha Lake (10-1) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Handsome Dan (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) In rear, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, dist behind Moonrise Landing (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
King Muro 6-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 8, 36 3/4l behind Banyu (11-8) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Forever Field (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, chased winner last, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Brotherly Company (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Countersign 20-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, outpaced approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 17l behind Viens Chercher (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Sep.
Dormouse 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, 7th of 11, dist behind Clyne (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Tiger Twenty Two 9-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon ridden, every chance last, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Our Kylie (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in May.
