held up, headway to chase leaders 5 out, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, kept on well from last
held up, joined leaders 5 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
led, clear 9th, ridden 5 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened
with leader, faltered and pulled up quickly approaching 9th
tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, driven and weakened 3 out
EASBY MANDARIN is a speculative choice in this tough little handicap chase. Ngong Hills and La Pantera Rosa arrive here in good from and are respected, while Euro American has dropped to a far fair mark and cannot be ruled out either. The last named ran well here three weeks ago will be a big threat despite being set to carry top weight. La Pantera Rosa likes to race close to the pace and should make a bold bid to follow up his course win from three weeks ago. However, he is 5lb higher in the weights and has an extra two furlongs to cope with this evening; so this is no easy task. So it might take a bit more than the reapplication of cheeckpieces to keep him in the game when push comes to shove tonight. Ngong Hills benefited from a very patient ride when scoring at Perth earlier this month. Still, he is also 5lb higher in the ratings and, from a career highest mark; he needs to be at the very best tonight. However, Easby Mandarin, who was running off a rating of 104 two years ago, may feel like he has been let loose from his current mark (89) and he gets the nod on this occasion.
Euro American (GER) 4-1 (11-5) Chased winner from 4 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Some Touch (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Ngong Hills (FR) 15-2 (10-8) Held up mid-division on inside, steady headway halfway, stayed on to lead last, driven out, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Kells Castle (10-3) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Easby Mandarin 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, ridden 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on under pressure from 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Woody Valentine (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Bearneen Boy (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Led and soon clear, ridden 12th, joined next, headed 3 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Tigu (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Another Club Royal 16-1 (10-0) Prominent, led approaching 2nd, ridden after 2 out, headed and one pace flat, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Kinfayre Boy (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f sell hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Silver Dagger 33-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, 9th of 16, well behind Sea Cadet (11-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Bleu Pois (11-10) by 2l, 8 ran.
Constantius 25-1 (10-8) Held up, effort when not fluent 15th, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Alfadora (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
