blundered 1st, chased leaders, mistake 4th, weakened and behind from 3 out
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, steady headway to track leaders before 2 out, weakened and mistake last
held up in rear, promising headway on inside to track leaders 2 out, when mistake and weakened
close up until ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, still well behind after 3 out, stayed on through beaten horses before last, took 3rd flat
mid-division, weakened 5th, soon tailed off
behind, mistake 4th, tailed off next, never dangerous after
close up until weakened quickly before 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway under pressure before 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened before last
led, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, under pressure and weakened before 2 out
raced wide, held up in mid-division, smooth headway on outer after 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
behind, mistake 5th, staying on one pace and no impression when hit 2 out
held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, tracked leader going well 2 out, led soon after last, ran on well
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway on outer after 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed soon after last, one pace flat
hit 1st, held up in mid-division, staying on one pace when hit 2 out, no impression before last
close up, weakened before 2 out
Martin Pipe has dominated this race in recent years and is taken to win it again with Manx Royal who can land some decent ante post wagers at the main expense of King Eider and Monte Cinto. The selection has been heavily backed all week and it is easy to see why as the son of Cyborg is less exposed than most of his rivals, looks to be well treated for his debut in a handicap, has ground conditions to suit and represents a stable with a record second to none in this contest. Pipe is also represented by Desert Air, who seems to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, and the novice Kingston Town, who is likely to find this tougher than the race that he won at Uttoxeter last week. Brain Ellison's King Eider has rather harshly been raised 9lbs for his win at Huntingdon last time but has to be respected as he looks an improved performer this year, while Calatagan has gone up 11lbs for his win at Cheltenham last month and now faces a stiff task giving weight away to all but one. Henry Daly's Green Tango is still relatively unexposed and is another worthy of consideration along with the Nicky Richards-trained Rising Generation, who keeps on finding a little bit extra to defy the handicapper. Atahuelpa is closely matched with King Eider on Huntingdon form and has franked the form since with a win at Windsor so is another worthy of a mention although a bigger threat may come from the Paul Nicholls-trained Monte Cinto, who has improved greatly this term now that he has acclimatised and represents in-form connections. The vote though goes to Manx Royal who has solid claims of giving Martin Pipe another winner in this competitive contest.
