chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace after
held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders approaching 4th, narrow lead 2 out, hard ridden and under pressure last, stayed on well flat
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon weakened in 7th and beaten when fell last
always behind, weakened from 5th
chased leaders, ridden and weakened appraoching 2 out
held up and keen, saddle slipped approaching 4th, soon pulled up
led to 3rd, chased leader, hit 5th, soon behind, tailed off from 3 out
always toward rear, pushed along halfway, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, hard ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish
held up, one pace from 2 out
always behind, weakened 5th, fell 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 5th
held up behind, effort on inner approaching 2 out, soon weakened
An ultra competitive affair rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be King's Protector, 5 Ndola and Resplendent Star and the nomination is given to King's Protector. The selection was disqualified last time out but prior to that he had been a fair third behind Tandava. That for has since been franked and under his optimum conditions here he is taken to gain compensation. Ndola was a fair sort at his best on the flat but has become disappointing in that sphere of late. He has also shown a modicum of ability over hurdles but even his best form over hurdles levees him with a little to find with the selection. However he has very shrewd connections and should be closely watched in the market. Resplendent Star won in facile fashion last time out when beating Three Ships, but this looks much more competitive and his penalty may just find him out. Best Flight has place claims on his bet form but this hard puller barley sees out the trip and for that reason he is opposed. Of the remainder Diamond Cutter landed a gamble in good style last time out at Cartmel when beating Malaga Boy but that was on a much softer surface and he will need to improve again to win under his penalty and for the winner we return to King's Protector.
Diamond Cutter (NZ) 5-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, led after last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in May beating Malaga Boy (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Resplendent Star (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led flat, soon hung left, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in May beating Three Ships (10-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Three Ships 11-2 (10-8) Pulled hard in touch, led after 5th, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Resplendent Star (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in May.
Best Flight 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, disputed lead next, ridden and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Mr Mischief (11-2) at Wetherby 2m cnd nov hdl (E) gd in May, 20 ran.
King's Protector 13-2 (11-2) In touch, headway to lead 2 out, headed run-in, kept on, lost weight cloth close home, disqualified, 2nd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Chef de Cour (10-12) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (D) gf in May.
Leopold (SLO) 7-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 6, 8l behind Ton-Chee (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May.
Moldavia (GER) 7-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and stayed on from last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Flintoff (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in May.
Ndola 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off, 22nd of 25, well behind Olaso (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Dec.
