mid-division, stayed on, headway after 7th, led 9th until pulled up lame after 3 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, chased winner after 3 out, every chance last, stayed on
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after next, every chance when pecked 2 out, soon weakened
jumped deliberately, in touch, lost place and not fluent 7th, pulled up after 8th
reminders after 3rd, always towards rear, tailed off
prominent, hampered 8th, weakened 3 out
led to 5th, weakened 9th, no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off
held up, stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon chasing leader, led 5th until 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 7th, left in lead after 3 out, stayed on well
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
prominent, bad mistake 8th, not recover
A competitive start to proceedings can go to Rakalackey ahead of Red Ruffles, Business Traveller and Sindapour. The latter was the best of these on the Flat, having won the Ascot Stakes last summer, but has not looked a world-beater since going hurdling. Nevertheless, he can only improve and should not be left out of calculations. However, we are going to take a chance with Rakalackey who is dropped in grade here. Henry Daly's inmate, a half-brother to Young Spartacus, has a penalty to carry but will find this less exacting than when eighth to Garde Champetre at Aintree. He may have most to fear from Red Ruffles who is on the upgrade and who missed a similar engagement recently to wait for this. Business Traveller beat Glencoyle at Newbury last time and seems to have thrived since being stepped up in trip. Another three furlongs here will not worry him and Richard Price's gelding is not to be ruled out. The winner should come from the quartet mentioned, and we return to Rakalackey as the answer.
