mid-division, steady headway when mistake and lost place, mistake again 6th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, kept on
tracked leader until ridden and weakened approaching 8th
prominent, led approaching 6th and blundered badly, ridden when headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, hung left badly left approaching 2 out, no extra
held up in touch, ridden 4 out, jockey dropped whip 3 out, hung left and kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden 4 out, kept on
not jump well, always in rear
led, headed approaching 6th, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, driven out
towards rear, driven for headway approaching 6th, ridden when weakening 4 out, pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, stayed on
Probably not a very strong contest and we give the vote to Bernini ahead of Alchemystic, Pilgrims Progress, Glencoyle and, possibly, Business Traveller. The selection has the scope to keep on progressing and has the added benefit of being lightly raced and being trained by Nicky Henderson. That said, he has a good bit to find on the back of his disappointing run behind Pilgrims Progress last time, when he was sent off as favourite. In fairness to him, he looks the type to prefer softer going than he encountered that day and might be worth persevering with. The beautifully-bred Alchemystic looked promising when scoring at Fontwell in December and, although running disappointingly at the same track last time, should go well if forgiven that effort. Nicky Henderson also runs Glencoyle, who can be given a chance but stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald has elected to ride Bernini. Pilgrims Progress is aptly named because he looks to be progressing now and is Bangor winner is another to seriously consider but Lord Of Beauty looks handicapped up to the very top end of what he has so far achieved. Of the others, Cougar showed improved form to be second over course and distance last time under today's rider and could go well again despite having been raised five pounds for that effort. Business Traveller was noted staying on over a shorter trip last time so do not be surprised to see him go well. Penric has been running in better events thus far by probably still has a bit to prove overall. That brings us back to Bernini, who gets the vote.
