with leaders to 12th, weakened 5 out
held up in rear, ridden along 6th, headway 12th, stayed on to go 2nd approaching 2 out, one pace from last
prominent to 11th, ridden and soon weakened, pulled up before 13th
in touch to 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 12th
held up, headway 11th, in touch when fell 5 out
held up, headway 11th, every chance and blundered 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up flat
held up in rear, good headway approaching 13th, blundered 4 out, led after next, stayed on well
promient, slow jump 2nd, in touch until blundered 9th, led briefly 12th, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 12th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 10th, hampered and unseated rider 5 out
A fair chase for the time of year and Villair can post a quick double at the expense of Majed and Commanche Jim. Charlie Mann's representative was a decisive winner at Warwick and confirmed the earlier impression that he needed the marathon trip. He still looks to be at the right side of the handicapper and we will seek not to oppose. Majed is undoubtedly the class horse in the race but his jumping still gives cause for concern. He has looked none-too-fluent of late and has been very expensive to follow. Commanche Jim tends to do his winning at this time of the season and any extra rain would be welcomed. He posted a decent third at Sandown two runs back but was subsequently disappointing at Warwick on his last racecourse appearance. Imperial de Thaix has not won for three years. The handicapper is finally bringing him down the ratings steadily if not a little too slowly for connections' liking. Echo du Lac will need to put a modest run at Wincanton behind him while Phar City probably will need it. The market is watched in regard to Polligana. We will stick with Villair for the second race on the card.
