in touch, behind from 10th, pulled up before 12th
in touch, challeged from 11th, went 2nd and not fluent 4 out, 3 lengths down and staying on same pace when left well clear last
chased leader, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, soon weakened
behind, pecked 6th (water), jumped slow and lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
in touch, headway approaching 12th, ridden and beaten 3 out, left poor 2nd last
led, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, weakened and behind from 12th, tailed off
tracked leaders, led 4th, clear from 10th, blundered 2 out, driven 3 legnths ahead when blundered and fell last
Impressive Leicester winner Lord North has been disappointing in two runs since but this trip should suit him better and, even though he is 8lbs higher than for that win. Wise King turned back the clock to win at Wincanton but has been raised 5lbs for that win. Mighty Strong has been dropped a pound for a decent second at Kempton and is entitled to run well again. Clan Royal is six pounds higher than for his Fontwell win, while Coral Island, who has lost his way of late, is 13lbs lower in the ratings than for his last win, at Doncaster in January of last year. The lightly raced Hiers de Brouage is three pounds higher than for his Wincanton win in December and may yet be open to some more improvement. Royal Beluga has won two of his last four races but has been beaten twice off his revised mark. Prominent Profile is seven pounds higher than for his course win in December which means improvement is necessary. Jasmin du Guichois is four pounds lower in the handicap now after his two chasing efforts in Britain. His only win in this country came over two-and-a-half miles over hurdles so, still only lightly raced, he could have improvement to come. It is not an easy race to weigh up but Paul Webber's Lord North, back at his favoured trip, is the selection.
