chased leader until 6th, soon beaten
made all, clear 2 out, ridden out
in touch, headway 6th, chased winner after 3 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders until weakened quickly approaching 6th, tailed off
in touch, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway to chase winner 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd last
chased leaders until 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up after 3 out
held up and always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 6th
held and always towards raer
Kings Castle, Tensile and Ziggy Zen are miles clear of the remainder on the official BHB figures and we will stick with the first named of Ron Hodges' pairing. Team Hodges have been in good form of late and this represents a tremendous drop in class for Kings Castle versus the likes of the Coral Cup that he was taking in a couple of seasons ago. Second to Penny's Crown following a year off, he should be a more realistic option today. Tensile has done nothing wrong for connections and is a difficult customer to beat in this grade. Today's trip will be plenty sharp enough for him given that he hasn't won over less than twenty furlongs since 1999. Ziggy Zen is another to be dropped substantially in grade. He has shown little this year but once again the market should prove to be highly indicative. Millkom Elegance can be relied upon to run her usual sound race and has place claims again. Some above-average performers taking their chances at this level and we shall nominate Kings Castle as our preferred option.
Downtherefordancin (IRE) 7-2 In touch, driven along from 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Tizi Ouzou at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gf.
Ziggy Zen 50-1 In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 14th of 21, 30l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs.
King's Travel (FR) 9-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 16, 7l behind Breezer at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs.
Kings Castle (IRE) 7-2jt-fav Held up, headway 7th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, every chance flat, not quicken, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Penny's Crown at Hereford 2m 3f sll hdl (G) sft in Feb.
Tensile (IRE) 5-4fav Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 5th, led approaching last, pushed out, won at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gs beating Serious Position by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Queens Brigade 8-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 30l behind Breezer at Taunton 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs.
