tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
towards rear, headway 3 out, chance last, one pace flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead post
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, fell 4 out
held up in touch, led between last 2, caught post
led, headed between last 2, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
Nonrunner
FOREIGN KING is taken to land this handicap hurdle, with Dark Energy and Wheelavit dangers. The participation of New Rackheath, who was entered up for Exeter on Wednesday, appears unlikely, though if he does turn up then he would have to have a serious chance with conditions and trip to suit. Foreign King has won just once over hurdles, but he does love it like a road and his style of racing means that, even though this trip is his absolute minimum, he may be able to run the sting out of them from up front and make all. Wheelavit has his optimum distance and ground conditions, and he looks more than capable of being competitive from this mark, though he may just have a couple of pounds too many. Dark Energy took a claiming hurdle at Perth last time and just a 4lb rise for that means that he should again get heavily involved with going to suit. Fast ground suits Alesandro Mantegna, though he looks in need of a favour from the assessor and we will take Foreign King to score.
Wheelavit (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 3 out, ridden and not fluent 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Kickahead (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, lost place after next, struggling after, 12th of 15, well behind Miss Phoebe (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Held up, headway after 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 7, 6l behind Mumbles Pier (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Dark Energy 11-2 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, challenged last, led flat, kept on well, won at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Sep beating Daytime Dreamer (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
King's Majesty (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, ridden after 6th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Foreign King (USA) 11-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, led after 3 out, ridden before next, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Prairie Spirit (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) fm in Apr.
Huguenot (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, in touch approaching 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Kickahead (11-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
Golden Square 10-1 (10-4) Prominent, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 9, 15l behind Peaceful Means (10-12) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Compton Star 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 7th, 9th of 18, 46l behind Beshairt (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
New Rackheath (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Pulled hard until led after 3rd, ridden when not fluent last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jun beating Safe Investment (11-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
