prominent, ridden behind leaders approaching 2 out, one pace
led ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, kept on one pace
held up in touch, headway ridden and led approaching 2 out, hard ridden from last, kept on gamely
held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on well, no chance with winner
held up last, ridden some headway 3 out, oen pace after
From a short list containing Mohawk Star, Alrafid and Hail The King, we will side with Mohawk Star in this handicap. The reapplication of blinkers, the fact that he comes here in good form and the booking of Richard Johnson point us towards Mohawk Star as the selection here. Alrafid looks to be on a competitive mark, comes here in consistent form and has to be respected. Avesomeofthat needs to improve on his course and distance win under a penalty. Mikado Melody has yet to build on his novice hurdle win, while despite having been raised five pounds for his Fontwell win, course and distance winner Hail The King is young enough to have further improvement in him and looks set to run a good race. Finally, we feel that Indian Star has it to do from his current mark, with, once again, the selection being Mohawk Star.
Alrafid (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Chased leading quartet, improved 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Festive Chimes (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Avesomeofthat (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, clear after 2nd, hit 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after last, rallied gamely and led post, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm beating Hatch A Plan (11-2) by a shd, 8 ran.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, steady headway 5th, mistake next and weakened, 3rd of 9, 10l behind O'Toole (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Hail The King (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, led soon after last, ran on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Khaysar (10-13) by a nk, 16 ran.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Take A Mile (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Indian Star (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Caraman (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
