soon clear leader, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
always behind and tailed off from 3 out
held up, effort and every chance 2 out, weakened before last
behind, some headway 4 out, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, pressed 2 out, ridden clear after last readily
held up mid-division, weakened after 4th, behind when pulled up before last
held up, headway 3 out, effort and every chance 2 out, no extra and one pace flat
held up rear, behind and beaten when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, hampered 4 out, kept on from 2 out but never dangerous
tracked leader, weakened after 4th and soon tailed off
Maharbal may be good enough to score at the first time of asking ahead of So Sure, Triumph of Dubai and Laggan Bay. Nicky Henderson used this race to launch Saintsaire 12 months ago, and could have similar success with Maharbal. Bought at Saint-Cloud in July after he'd finished runner-up in an AQPS Flat race, his only outing to date, he'll be a better horse in another year, but is doing everything very nicely at the moment according to his trainer, and looks a good prospect. So Sure was plating class on the flat and has made mistakes in his last two outings over timber, but has a bit of experience. Triumph of Dubai lines up on the back of a selling success at Taunton, so is another with a bit to do, while Yourman showed nothing behind leading Triumph candidate Trouble At Bay at Wincanton. With the Oliver Sherwood stable staging a revival this term, any moves for Twentytwosilver would be interesting. He beat Trouble At Bay on the flat at Lingfield last year when housed with Alan King, and if getting the trip, could be one to follow. However, Nicky Henderson is the man to follow at this venue and Maharbal is selected to oblige at the first time of asking.
