mid-division, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, soon one pace
held up, pushed along 4 out, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway 6th, led after 3 out, ridden out
soon led, never jumped fluent, pushed along after 4 out, hit, headed next, kept on under pressure
behind, headway after 4th, soon ridden, weakened
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened, blundered, unseated rider last
held up in touch, chased leaders 6th, under pressure before 3 out, weakening when hampered last
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, ridden, effort 3 out, chased winner next, kept on same pace
prominent, pushed along before 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Malton gets the confident vote in the finale with Nelson's Spice and Air Guitar rating the main dangers. The selection was well backed when he could manage only fourth behind Only Words last time out. However he was doing all his best work at the finish on that occasion and with the step up in trip likely to bring about improvement he will be hard to beat off what remains a lenient mark. Nelson's Spice rates the main danger as he had every chance until brought down in a race won by Beau Nash last time out. his yard are in top form and he should be watched in the market. Air Guitar is another worthy of respect on his latest second behind Beau Nash but he looks vulnerable to a better handicaped horse. Of the remainder Ortega is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with and for the winner we return to Malton who gets the confident vote.
Air Guitar (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, left in lead 3 out, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Beau Nash (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Ortega (FR) 6-1jt-fav (11-8) Towards rear, stayed on past beaten horses after 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 42l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, pushed along and chasing leaders when brought down 3 out in race won by Beau Nash (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 12 ran.
That Man Fox 12-1 (11-0) Chased leader, outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Self Respect (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Karshaan (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Close up, ridden and outpaced by leading pair soon after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Kidithou (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Trebello 20-1 (10-3) Prominent, led after 4 out, took wrong course next, stayed on approaching last, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Malko De Beaumont (11-4) by 1 1/2l. Later dsq to last, 18 ran.
Malton 5-2fav (11-0) Behind, headway 5th, jumped badly right 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Only Words (10-10) at Wetherby 2m ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Zonic Boom (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 8th, 8th of 16, 38l behind Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec.
