close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway 6th, soon chased leader, led between 3 out and 2 out, soon clear, eased run-in
prominent, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
close up, led 6th, ridden and headed between 3 out and 2 out, kept on same pace
keen led, headed 6th, soon dropped to rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
Joan D'Arc won three times over hurdles last autumn but her form has been a little hit-and-miss on the Flat this year and she looks a risky proposition at present. Marino Prince has been a lot more consistent on the level lately and warrants respect, while there are also possibilities about course winner Yahrab dropped into this grade and Just Rob will benefit from McCoy's presence in the saddle and a recent pipe-opener at Ffos Las. KING FINGAL didn't do a lot wrong on his return to action at Musselburgh, however, and this is far less competitive. John Quinn's charge should go one better here with competent claimer Dean Pratt reducing his burden by 10lb.
King Fingal (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Golden Future (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Just Rob 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, lost place 2 out, one pace approaching last, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 35l behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr '10.
Yahrab (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until ridden approaching where mistake, soon beaten, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 36l behind Perpetually (11-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Marino Prince (FR) 5-4fav (11-9) Held up in rear on inside, headway when blundered and lost place 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on same pace approaching last, never able to challenge, 6th of 11, 17l behind Leopard Hills (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Monkton Vale (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) With leader, led after 4th, soon headed, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Koup De Kanon (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, in rear, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, driven to lead narrowly final 50 yards, won at Fakenham 2m juv fll nov hdl (3yo) (3) gs in Nov '10 beating Doyenne Dream (10-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
