close up, blundered 10th, blundered badly and lost place 13, ridden 4 out, no extra
mid-division, pushed along and dropped rear 10th, soon behind, kept on one pace from 2 out never dangerous
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, challenged last, stayed on under pressure, run in to lead near finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
held up in rear, headway 13, went second 5 out until ridden 3 out, soon one pace
mistakes, towards rear, pushed along 5 out, weakened after next
held up in touch, dropped rear 7th, soon weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
led, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, headed towards finish no extra
Master Tern has been on one of the worst trots of his career, but we will risk certifying by plumping for him to come up with the goods here, with Forest Gunner and Robbo obvious dangers. The selection is clearly a tentative one, but Master Tern goes well with good in the going description, has always raced as though an easy three miles like this would be within his compass, and does tend to put in his best efforts in the spring. More to the point he has been given a huge chance by the handicapper, having been dropped 16lb over the course of his last four starts. If today is anything like a 'going' day then he can spring a surprise. Robbo is very hard to catch right and we may have missed our chance last time. A winner of a ¿20,000 Carlisle handicap, trip and ground suit, but a 5lb rise for a tight win, plus his inconsistency have made us look elsewhere. Few will forget Carrie Ford's Aintree win on Forest Gunner last time. A professional on board might help him further here, and again trip and ground will suit, but a 9lb rise for that win looks stiff after what was a hard race. He may still be good enough to win, but there are enough doubts to oppose him. Kock De La Vesvre would also have to produce a lifetime best to win and is not in great heart at present, but Lord Jack has had a 3lb drop and with connections always doing well here and a break to freshen him up he could take a close hand in proceedings. Nevertheless we will tentatively propose a small wager on Master Tern at likely odds.
