mistake 1st, held up in touch, reminders 3rd, weakened after 5th
prominent, ridden 5th, lost place
led, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon headed, stayed on one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
pulled early and held up towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after
tracked leaders, headway on bit to lead 2 out, quickened clear approaching last, easily
pulled hard, prominent, good headway on bit to lead on inside after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, not pace of winner
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 5th, staying on one pace when blundered last, not recover
pulled hard and held up last, always behind
towards rear, ridden 5th, weakened approaching 6th
The Bridget Nicholls-trained Medici showed improved form when belying odds of 66/1 to finish a creditable third behind Salsalino at Exeter last month, and has to be respected on that evidence, but the six-year-old probably needs to improve again to trouble McBain, who gets the vote with Pat N Dec rated the best of the remainder. The selection was easily the best of these to run on the flat and looks to have the pick of the hurdles form as well having stepped up on an encouraging debut effort when chasing home The Market Man at Kempton earlier this month. A reproduction of that effort should suffice for the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding who is preferred to Pat N Dec. The Ian Williams-trained gelding showed promise in two starts in bumpers and again on his hurdling debut and is worth a look in the market. Gin 'n' Fonic and Hail The King are both becoming rather exposed and of more interest among the remainder is the newcomer Gems Bond, who was capable on the flat. However, McBain sets a decent standard and will be tough to beat.
