chased leaders, outpaced 3 out
chased leaders, struggling from 6th
with leader, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, held on towards finish
struggling from halfway, pulled up before 7th
in touch, lost place 6th
held up, pushed along approaching 6th, headway 3 out, chased winner, not fluent 2 out, hard ridden, hung right run-in, stayed on toward finish
made most until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
soon behind, struggling from 6th, tailed of when pulled up before 2 out
The shortlist here contains Russian Trigger, The Very Man and Rightful Ruler and the vote is given to Russian Trigger. The selection has plenty to recommend him as he has shown up in both of his runs to date and he was an impressive winner last time. There should be more to come and he is proven on this ground so he has solid claims. The Very Man is another that will have no problems with the ground and like our selection he is lightly-raced, although he was a little disappointing last time. Rightful Ruler was well beaten on the flat last time and although he has run well with juice in the ground in the past, he is probably better on a faster surface. Franco won well last time and he will go on the ground so he is another to enter calculations. However, for the pick we will return to Russian Trigger.
Heir To Be 16-1 (10-6) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Himalayan Trail 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, hit 9th and 12th, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 35l behind Blue Splash (11-9) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Franco (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Made all, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Hill Forts Timmy (11-4) by 3l, 13 ran.
Russian Trigger 4-1 (10-12) Always prominent, led 5th, made rest, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Mr Preacher Man (11-3) by 6l, 14 ran.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider at the last in race won by Laouen (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Rightful Ruler 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead before 4 out, drew clear from next, 25 lengths clear when eased inside final furlong, won at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Mr Maxim (10-11) by 18l, 10 ran.
The Very Man (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching last, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 6l behind Master Medic (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Mr Shambles 14-1 (10-6) Raced keenly, led to 2nd, chase leader until approaching 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 14l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Fisby 20-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by The Crazy Parson (9-11) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 7 ran.
