prominent, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, very easily
prominent, racing wide, lost position after 4th, headway approaching 4 out, soon weakened
led until approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in rear, hit 3rd and 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and beaten when jumped left last
prominent to 4th, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, chased winner 3 out, no impression
in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, some headway 7th, hard ridden and weakened 3 out
held up mid-division, effort 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, chased leader from approaching 5th to approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mistake 1st, always behind
A chance is taken with Kilgowan, who was in the process of running a big race when he came down at Cheltenham last month and he can make amends with a clear round today. Victory Gunner has plenty on at the weights but is consistent enough to still be considered a danger at this level, while Ismene is a previous course and distance winner that has place claims if his jumping holds together. Another to have a look at is Spring Pursuit, who benefited greatly from a calm ride from Timmy Murphy when winning at Leicester earlier in the week. However, his task is made a lot harder by his 7lb penalty and, as Mick Fitzgerald has never sat on this tricky customer in a race before today, others make more appeal. None more so than Kilgowan, whose jockey almost guided him to victory the last time he appeared here and the partnership represent good value to make amends today.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 20-1 Tracked leader until led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) hvy in Dec beating Carlys Quest by 25l, 10 ran.
Mythical King (IRE) 50-1 Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 28l behind Blue Canyon at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan.
Spring Pursuit 6-1 Held up and behind, smooth headway from 3 out, led on bit last, very easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) hvy beating Just Beth by 2l, 13 ran.
Nick's Choice 12-1 Soon chasing leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Dom d'Orgeval at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Jan.
Ismene (FR) 10-1 Mid-division, disputing lead when fell 3 out in race won by Ireland's Eye at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Periwinkle Lad (IRE) 16-1 In touch, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, stayed on well flat, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Kitte Ou Double at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Scarlet Fantasy 13-2 In touch, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, mistake last and pulled up in race won by One Nation at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
