held up in midfield, ridden 3f out, some headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear and switched to inside rail, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
restrained towards rear, ridden and some headway between horses over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and not much room on inside rail 3f out, switched left and ran on over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
slightly slow to stride, soon recovered into handy position, tracked leaders travelling strongly 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear and switched to inside rail, headway into midfield after 2f, progress when ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, led narrowly halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong
slowly away, in rear, rapid headway on outside over 2f out, driven to press leaders over 1f out, no extra close home
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed halfway, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly under pressure final furlong
midfield, slightly short of room when ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong but could not reach leaders
Ayr Poet showed good progress last year, winning three times and beating Perfect Soldier on a couple of those occasions. He’ll be winning again this season but MERRICOURT may enjoy a fitness advantage with a couple of recent runs at Newcastle under his belt so Iain Jardine’s charge gets the vote having won off a similar mark over track and trip in September. Joyful Star finished well behind the selection on that occasion while First Response has yet to win on Turf but can race off a much lower mark as a consequence.
Merricourt (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Slowly away, held up in rear, ran on final 100 yards, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Kentuckyconnection (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Strong Team (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Mr Excellency (9-3) at Southwell 1m stks (5) pol in Mar.
Ayr Poet 9-2jfav (8-11) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, soon every chance, , plugged on in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Firewater (9-2) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
First Response 10-1 (9-3) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Pholas (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Lagenda 33-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Twisted Dreams (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Jungle Book (GER) 18-1 (9-0) Led early at steady pace, headed 6f out, ridden for effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Rogue Tide (9-4) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
The Brora Pobbles 14-1 (8-7) Led field down centre, headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 10, 23 1/4l behind Pallas Dancer (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
The King's Steed 14-1 (9-0) Outpaced and always towards rear, 9th of 11, 29l behind Khatm (9-5) at Southwell 7f stks (6) pol in Mar.
Tarnhelm 33-1 (8-9) Slowly away, pushed along in rear, never on terms, 11th of 14, 18 1/2l behind Calonne (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Joyful Star 28-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden and modest headway over 2f out, chased leaders entering final furlong, weakened close home, 7th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Termonator (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Perfect Soldier (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Led, headed narrowly halfway, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Van Dijk (9-4) at Newcastle 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Detective 200-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
