held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish
mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, held on well
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
in rear, ridden over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up mid-division, one pace from over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
tracked leader, weakened over 3f out
Hussar Ballad has won around here on Turf and also on Tapeta at Wolverhampton so can’t be ignored. Champagne Rules was on a roll in the autumn, winning here and at Kempton, but he hasn’t raced since November. Esspeegee just got the better of Magistral here in December but followed up in an amateurs’ race over course and distance in January when SOMETHING BREWING was fourth. However, Iain Jardine’s charge has won a jumpers’ bumper on the track since and 8lb better off so can come out on top today with the maiden Kings Gold struggling for form after a lay-off.
Kings Gold (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Heather Lark (8-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Hussar Ballad (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Willyegolassiego (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Esspeegee 9-4fav (9-8) In touch, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held post, 2nd of 9, nk behind Smiley Bagel (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Champagne Rules 10-11fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, clear when edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Epsom Secret (8-12) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Something Brewing (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Held up in touch in rear, smooth headway between horses inside final 2f, 2nd approaching final furlong, quickened to lead entering final furlong, soon clear, won at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Mar beating Arthurs Secret (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Magistral 25-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, never on terms, 9th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Adventureman (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Love Candy (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 6, 23 3/4l behind Tarte Tropezienne (8-11) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Hugoigo 14-1 (8-11) Raced wide in mid-division, weakened inside final 3f, soon behind, 10th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Thankyou Very Much (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Good Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Morning Skye (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Rossington 100-1 (8-7) Always in rear, last of 11, 30 1/2l behind Highwayman (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
