made most to 8th, ridden, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in midfield, headway 9th, pushed along after 5 out, driven to lead last, stayed on strongly
in touch, headway 9th, effort 5 out, weakened after next
in touch, mistake, dropped rear 9th, soon behind
tracked leader, led 8th, headed 6 out, ridden 4 out, every chance approaching last, kept on same pace
midfield, headway 8th, in touch, ridden, effort approaching 4 out, one-paced
behind, mistakes, weakened 6 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, mistake 5th, weakened 11th
tracked leaders, led 6th out, stumbled 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on
held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden, weakened after 5 out
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Few make appeal in an ordinary contest and the tentative vote goes to Hombre who does at least have conditions in his favour. Micky Hammond's charge comes here in good form having followed a handicap victory at Sedgefield in December with two placed efforts in similar grade this year. The son of Shernazar found two miles an insufficient stamina test last time and will appreciate the return to his optimum trip on his favoured soft ground. The ex-Irish performer Cardinal Mark has been struggling to find his form for new connections but has been dropped in the weights accordingly and showed a little more sparkle last time when third here last month. Sue Smith's charge is entitled to go close off his current mark but Jackson's Hole is a thorough stayer and would ideally prefer further. Red Minster was disappointing last time but is better judged on last month's decisive victory here and, being lightly raced, is capable of further progress.
