held up and behind, some headway on inside after 13th, soon struggling
held up, headway approaching 5 out, chased winner 4 out, stayed on, no impression
mistakes, held up in touch, headway 6th, went 2nd 8th, led 13th, clear approaching 4 out, pushed out
in touch, ridden after 12th, chased winner and pecked 5 out, one pace from 3 out
led, headed after 3rd, chased leader, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd next, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off
tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 13th, 4th and weakening when mistake 3 out
King Harald would be interesting off his current mark if fit enough for his reappearance but an absence of 621 days is of concern and a safer bet looks to be Melford, who is preferred to Toms Gone Grey. The last mentioned was still going well when falling last time but Robert Alner's gelding has now been a beaten favourite in four of his last five starts and is proving expensive for backers to follow. Irish raider Big King made a winning start to his chasing career when landing a beginners' event at Downpatrick. Subsequently beaten at Cork, he would appear to have been given a fair mark by the handicapper and makes more appeal than Usk Valley who has found life tough since winning at Huntingdon in June. Michael Scudamore's Torche is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return and has to be considered but the vote goes to Melford. Henrietta Knight's gelding faced no easy task on his chase debut at Exeter last month and lost no caste in defeat behind the useful Willie John Daly. There is nothing of that calibre in opposition today and off what looks a fair mark he is taken to open his account over fences.
