close up, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in touch, effort on outside 3f out, no impression final 2f
prominent, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
pulled hard, held up in rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden and no headway final 2f
raced keenly, led after 2f, ridden and headed well 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
close up, ridden 4f out, outpaced final 2f
in touch, pushed along and not quicken 3f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no danger
took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
slow into stride and always in rear
slow into stride, held up in rear, steady headway on outside 2f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd near finish
chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed chasing winner until lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch for 8f
slow into stride and always in rear
led for 2f, stayed prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid division until ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
close up, ridden to press leaders 3f out, no extra final furlong
never better than mid division
slow into stride, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
Ionian Spring is 6lbs higher in the weights than when taking this event 12 months ago but has shown little since and looks worth opposing which we do with Shamdian, who gets the vote over Kylkenny. The last mentioned is a consistent performer and has slipped to an attractive mark but preference is for the ex-French Shamdian. Nicky Henderson failed to work the oracle with the four-year-old over hurdles this season but the son of Indian Ridge showed promise and is lightly raced on the level. His trainer does well with the few runners that he sends to the flat and, at the likely odds, he looks worth chancing. Kentucky King lost no caste in defeat at Windsor last time but is not certain to stay today's longer trip and a bigger threat may come from Gay Kelleway's all-weather winner Slalom. Dream Magic and Count Walewski have claims if fit enough for their returns, while Street Life would come into this with a major chance if the rains came. However, given Nicky Henderson's record with runners on the flat, it is Shamdian who gets the vote.
