midfield, travelled strongly behind leaders 3 out, almost upsides 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly before last, driven out flat, asserted close home
held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch 3 out, well beaten from 2 out
midfield on outside, headway 5th, clear 3rd approaching last, stayed on without troubling leading pair flat
pressed leader, led narrowly 3 out, headed narrowly before last, stayed on strongly under pressure flat, no extra close home
in rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 4th, ridden after 5th, well beaten before 2 out
towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, plugged on
pressed leader, mistake 1st, not fluent 5th and pushed along, close up 3 out, weakened before 2 out where not fluent, no extra
led, ridden and headed before 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, plugged on from last
MONGOL EMPEROR, a winner between the flags, hadn't shown much in four starts over hurdles before justifying strong support for an easy victory at Newcastle last week. He'll be hit by more than the 7lb extra he carries here and a quick double looks on the cards. Crack Du Ninian scored twice at the backend of last year including here in December when Comber Mill finished just over two lengths back in second. He couldn't handle heavy going at Carlisle last month and today's conditions should be more suitable. The Herds Garden could do with plenty of rain judging by his victory on heavy going at Catterick while Seaborough has never really looked like repeating his course and distance victory from December 2019.
Mongol Emperor (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Held up behind leaders, travelled strongly behind leader 3 out, eased ahead before 2 out, drew clear under pressure before last, comfortably, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Frightened Rabbit (11-3) by 11l, 14 ran.
Hidden Commander (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Midfield, lost position 5th, dropped to rear 3 out, pulled up after 2 out, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
The Herds Garden 40-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on outside, lost place before 3 out, plugged on to take 7 lengths 6th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Crack Du Ninian (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Evita Du Mesnil (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Authorizo (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Restrained in rear, ridden before 4 out, well beaten 3 out, no extra, 12th of 17, 33 1/4l behind Thinque Tank (10-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Seaborough (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) In touch in chasing group, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Laskadine (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Comber Mill (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Led and clear with 2 others, headed omitted 5th, weakened 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Laskadine (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Lucou (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Prominent, ridden to lead narrowly 4 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 14, 28l behind Mongol Emperor (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
