held up in mid-division, weakened very quickly after 6th, soon tailed off
held up last, mistake 6th, headway before 7th, ridden and good progress to challenge before 2 out, led before last, driven out
led to before 2nd, chased leader, good headway and joined leader after 3 out, ridden and led before 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
led before 2nd, ridden and hit 3 out, headed before 2 out, rallied last, ran on but not pace with winner
mistake and unseated rider 1st
This is a fascinating finale to the card and Lincoln Place, Turkestan, Gebora and Mutadarra could all go well, but we will side with the Venetia Williams-trained Knocktopher Abbey. The selection will probably find that this trip will test his stamina, but he is dropping in the weights and also has the added bonus of having the promising 7lb claimer Sam Thomas in the plate, and he may be capable of beating his rivals on these terms. He was an impressive winner over 2m, but has disappointed on his last two runs, although it could be argued that he may have needed his last run after an absence from the track. He looks to have plenty in his favour here and should go well at a decent price. Lincoln Place could represent the main danger as he was a good second behind Jakari at Cheltenham earlier in the month. That was his seasonal reappearance so he should come on for the run, and he is arguably ahead of the handicapper at present so is respected as the main danger to our selection. Turkestan is another that has to be respected, but he may need this, his first run of the season. Gebora, like Turkestan, hails from the Martin Pipe yard and is interesting now that he is dropped in trip and a market move for this gelding could be significant. Of the rest, Mutadarra is out of form and will have to improve significantly to take a hand in the finish, so we are happy to take a chance on nicely weighted Knocktopher Abbey.
