led until fell 4 out
in touch, headway approaching 6th, hampered 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace in 3rd when fell last
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and hit next, headed approaching last, one pace
Nonrunner
In an interesting handicap, Mughas is selected ahead of Buck Whaley (should he run) and Killing Me Softly. Mughas ran a blinder at Haydock on his return from an absence behind the well-handicapped Jazz d'Estruval last time out and, given time to recover from those exertions, he is very much respected today. Spring Pursuit has something to find with him based on that form. However, Haut de Gamme is three pounds better off for the three-and-a-half lengths he finished behind Mughas in that same race and, being well-weighted based on his best chasing form, cannot be ruled out of a good run. Vicario was well behind Killing Me Softly at Uttoxeter last time, the latter receiving a12-pounds rise in the ratings for his efforts; however, given that he has won four of last ten starts, he gets a lot of respect from us. The Bajan Bandit has been held twice since being revised for his February Haydock win, while Buck Whaley's preferred entry option is Carlisle but, should he run here, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained gelding has to be very much respected, despite having been raised 18 pounds for his gambled-on and emphatic Leopardstown win. Finally, Water King ran a moody race last time but would hold claims based on his Cheltenham win the time before. Overall, though, the vote stays with Mughas.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 19, 16l behind Attorney General (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Mughas (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on but no impression, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Spring Pursuit 22-1 (11-1) Held up and keen, saddle slipped 2nd and pulled up at the 3rd in race won by Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 17 ran.
Haut de Gamme (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 18, 17l behind Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec.
Vicario 7-1 (11-6) Prominent, led approaching 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, well behind Killing Me Softly (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec.
Water King (USA) 11-2 (9-12) Held up in touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened ran out 2 out in race won by Pretty Star (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Killing Me Softly 9-1 (10-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 7th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Dec beating Jockser (10-5) by 24l, 10 ran.
Buck Whaley (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, 7th after 3 out, 4th and smooth headway 2 out, led entering straight, clear from last, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Dec beating Shifting Alliance (10-8) by 6l, 22 ran.
