mid-division to 8th, behind when fell 11th
led to 3rd, in touch until ridden and weakened 10th, pulled up before 12th
mid-division, headway on outside 10th, left 3rd 4 out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, headway 10th, left 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
chased leader to 8th, weakenening when mistake 11th, tailed off, finished lame
held up in rear, stayed on from 3 out to be poor 4th
in touch, chased leader 6th to 8th, ridden and weakened 11th, tailed off
mid-division when hampered badly and unseated rider 2nd
held up rear, rapid headway after 11th to be with leader, jumped badly right 4 out and unseated rider
prominent, led 4th, clear 8th, not fluent 9th, was challenged when fell 4 out
blundered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway 8th, chased leaders 4 out, left in lead, kept on well
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Menphis Beury can prove too strong for these rivals, the best of whom appear to be Soeur Fontenail, Wild Spice and Romantic Hero. Ex-French Menphis Beury was highly tried on his British debut over hurdles at Kempton in March last year, unseating behind Lacdoudal, and since then has embarked on a chasing career. He won well at Doncaster in January and although still not the finished article judged on his first fence fall at Stratford, can be fancied on his second to the more experienced Kittenkat at Exeter in March. Despite making a mistake three out that day, he still had every chance at the last and stuck to his task well. He could do with the ground drying out but should go close. Soeur Fontenail went out like a light at Haydock last time, but the step back up in trip will ensure that he gives at least as good a performance as when beating Spring Margot at Kempton. However, he was receiving lumps of weight from the runner-up that day and is not as well fancied as Menphis Beury. Wild Spice was far from fluent at Fontwell, while Romantic Hero has an absence to overcome. His trainer is quite adept at overcoming that obstacle though, so do not be surprised if he runs well. Preference is for Menphis Beury as long as his jumping holds up.
