led and soon well clear, hit 4th, headed before 2 out, beaten when hit last, weakened and finished tired, run-in
blundered 1st, close up in chasing group, weakened before 3 out, mistake next
held up in rear, steady headway from 3 out, tracked leader, going well before 2 out, soon led, hit last, ridden clear, run-in
close up in chasing group, weakened after 3 out, mistake next
took keen hold, prominent in chasing group, closed after 3 out, 4th and weakening when mistake 2 out
led chasing group after 3 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up and dismounted before 2 out
prominent in chasing group, weakened 4th, tailed off before 3 out
always behind, mistakes 3rd and 4th, hampered next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 2nd and 4th, fell heavily 5th
This is not a straightforward race to weigh up but it's interesting for all that, with the vote going to Transit, although The Local, Captain Miller, Green Gamble and, possibly, Terramarique are also worth a mention. The selection is invariably competitive from today's type of mark and, judging by the way he was staying on at Musselburgh last time, he looks primed to go well today. Forest Chief has a bit to find with him on that form. The Local won three times between January and December and, while he is now eight pounds higher in the weights, was a respectable second to Broke Road at Kempton on Sunday, so could go well. Captain Miller was decent four years ago, and has run well intermittently since, so cannot be ruled out, while a return to the form that saw Green Gamble finish second to La Limbertine over course and distance three runs ago would give him a good shout. Running Times is well weighted if you run his form back far enough and it is interesting to see Len Lungo run Terramarique here, and this one could be well handicapped on the back of just three runs to date. Overall, though, we will side with Transit.
The Local 10-1 Set good pace, clear 4th, came back to field after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on to hold 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Broke Road at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.
Transit 16-1 Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on from approaching 2 out, weakened from last, 6th of 13, 7l behind Far Pavilions at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb.
Forest Chief (IRE) 20-1 Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 27l behind Far Pavilions at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Feb.
Murat (FR) 50-1 Not always fluent, always behind, 13th of 20, 45l behind Cornish Sett at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Green Gamble 10-1 Prominent, led after 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 4th of 18, 4l behind Tighe Caster at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Jan.
Macgyver (NZ) 4-1 Behind from 5th, 6th of 9, 31l behind Runner Bean at Huntingdon 2m sll hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Aug.
Running Times (USA) 25-1 Mid-division, mistake 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 42l behind Maldoun at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (G) gs in Feb.
Terramarique (IRE) 33-1 Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 7th of 12, 15l behind Faasel at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Feb.
Harry's Game 28-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 35l behind Ambersong at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs in Dec.
