in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 4 out, weakened from 2 out
mid-division, behind from 5 out, ridden approaching next, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on no impression
chased leaders, mistake 9th, behind from 5 out
held up, headway 7th, went 2nd on bit 5 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, all out flat
chased leaders, quickly pulled up approaching 6th
behind, hit 10th and 11th, ridden and some headway when blundered badly 4 out, soon beaten
led, headed 8th, soon pushed along, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten
chased leader, led 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, under pressure from 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on flat
Aelred put up arguably a career-best effort when winning at Newcastle last time, but is very much a specialist there and is not certain to reproduce the same level of form at this track. The selection, Belisario, is very much a Wetherby specialist, having already won three times here. He has been off the course for nearly two years but has gone well fresh in each of the last two seasons, including when third to Hussard Collonges here last year. He is very lightly-raced for a nine-year-old and could still be on a fair mark. Stone Cold is consistent but inevitably finds one or two too good, and is unlikely to get his head in front here. A bigger threat should come from Russell Road, who is also lightly-raced and signaled a long-awaited return to form when third at Kempton earlier this month.
