behind from 5th, tailed off
held up, hard ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching next
behind until pulled up before 2nd
always towards rear
prominent, lost place 4th, soon beaten, tailed off from 6th
in touch, blundered 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and no extra from 3 out
prominent, ridden 6th, onepaced from 3 out
always behind, tailed off
led until approaching 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out
behind, ridden and headway after 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, headed after next, not quicken flat
always prominent, led after 2 out, not fluent last, driven out
This getting out stakes is not as competitive as it first looks and can be fought out by Rookery Lad, Ascari, Moon Spinner and Lord Ville, with the latter getting the vote. Philip Hobbs' charge has taken a hike up the weights of late after an easy win from Kaikovra at Wincanton and then a good second there last time after an 8lb rise. A further 2lb rise will not help us here, but he does love trip and ground and can make that tell over his less scopey opponents. Rookery Lad has gone up just 1lb for a recent Huntingdon success, though this is a step up in quality here and he might not be capable of producing what is required in this field. Ascari carries a feather weight and will relish the conditions, so we expect him to go well, but he might just be a bit one-paced to win, while Moon Spinner is a recent course and distance winner, but does not have Tony McCoy in the plate this time and a 7lb rise means that despite running well here, he too may just find one or two too good.