tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd close home
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
in rear, headway 2 out(usual 10th), ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on(all fences in the straight omitted on both circuit)
close up, weakened last(usual 4 out)
in touch, ridden last(usual)4 out, weakened 4f out
Arthur's Sixpence is back on his favoured good ground, having rattled up a hat-trick last summer under quick conditions. He's not easy to assess as he only seems to do enough but he's having a first run since August. Balgemmois was not the most consistent with his previous yard and now has a just a second start for Fergal O'Brien and a first after wind surgery. He's a course and distance winner, however, and the stable does well here so he is one to note in the market returning to action. That's A Given and Monty's Award are hard to catch right and Oscar Wilde pulled up last time so PRESENCE OF MIND is the choice. He shaped nicely on just a second start over fences when runner-up at Wincanton and has scope for further improvement.
Presence Of Mind (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost some places 6th, headway 13th, edged right before 3 out, went 2nd before next, unbale to get to winner, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kauto The King (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Arthur's Sixpence 11-10fav (11-4) Led, slipped on bend before 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden and headed before last, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind River Frost (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
That's A Given (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Held up, pushed along after 3 out (usual 4 out), no impression, tailed off, pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Monty's Award (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Off the pace in 4th place, hit 4th, outpaced before 8th, rallied approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd home turn, 3rd of 5, 10 1/4l behind Fairway Freddy (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Balgemmois (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Midfield, headway to chase leader 4 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Flagrant Delitiep (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Oscar Wilde (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 9th or 13th, last 14th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
