tracked leaders, led 3rd, driven and headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 5th, effort 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last
led to 3rd, jumped right and lost place next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up in touch, challenged 4th, led after 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last
chased leaders to 4th, soon lost place, tailed off
held up in touch, steady headway 5th, led 2 out, driven clear approaching last, comfortably
in rear, driven and outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure approaching next, kept on no impression
with leader, lost place 4th, soon behind
This should not take much winning and while Coronado's Gold has to be respected following his latest second in a Kelso seller an 8lb rise for that effort leaves him with more to do and preference is for Mr Ex, with Bold Pioneer rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has failed to get home over 2m4f in his last two starts and Geoff Harker's gelding should appreciate the return to two miles today so he gets the verdict in a poor contest. Arctic Cove has been well held in recent starts and could maybe do with even more help from the handicapper. It will be interesting to see if there is any support for the Irish raider Ginger's Star, while another challenger from across the Irish Sea, All In, has given little cause for optimism so far. Bold Pioneer should be thereabouts on the pick of his form but Mr Ex has the most solid claims in a poor contest and he gets the vote.
Mr Ex (ARG) 14-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 23l behind Red Sun (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, headway when hit 3 out, kept on and every chance last, soon ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Mister Pete (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (5) gd.
All In (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division best, never a factor, 13th of 17, well behind Moving Star (9-11) at Roscommon 2m hcp hdl 0-109 hvy in Aug.
Arctic Cove 12-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression approaching next, 4th of 7, 30l behind El Dee (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf.
Ginger's Star (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Never better than mid division, 8th of 19, 48l behind Gem Daly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 13-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Falcon's Tribute (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf, 16 ran.
Tammy 50-1 (10-5) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 35l behind El Dee (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gf.
Cwm Chwefru 200-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 47l behind Mister Pete (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (5) gd.
