in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, effort and every chance over 1f out, not quicken and weaken inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort 3f out, challenged over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, lost 2nd close home
started slowly, soon in touch, under pressure over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
behind, some headway final 2f, never nearer
held up and behind, never troubled leaders
soon led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened quickly, tailed off final 2f
always behind
held up and behind, headway going well over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden clear, readily
tracked leaders, under pressure 4f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway and led over 2f out, hard pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f
prominent, effort 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
close up on inside ridden 4f out, soon weakened
Malarkey is 5lbs worse in with King Flyer for the quarter-of-a-length that separated the two runners at Nottingham last month and is probably best passed over here which we do in favour of Tomina who is less exposed than most, particularly over this trip. From the same family as Stayers' Hurdle winner Bacchanal, the son of Deploy has shown improved form every time that he has tackled a longer trip and, stepping up to two miles for the first time, he has to be respected under Darryll Holland. Neil Graham's colt is preferred to Malarkey, who is closely matched not only with King Flyer but also with Nawow and Sonoma on Nottingham running. Stef Liddiard's gelding also has the beating of Heir To Be on running at Warwick last week and rates the main danger to the selection, Tomina. Jeremy Noseda' reappearing Promoter and Riyadh from the in-form Mark Johnston stable are others worthy of a mention but it is Tomina, who gets the verdict.
