held up in 6th, ridden and struggling before 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, went left 3rd, some headway 4 out, went left next, no impression before 2 out, 5th and no chance when blundered last
pressed leaders, driven to 2nd before last, stayed on same pace flat
led, went left 3rd and next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in touch in 5th, headway to 3rd before 3 out, driven and staying on same pace when switched right approaching last, one pace flat
disputed 2nd until 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
Meridiem has only found one too good over C&D on his last two starts and races off the same mark today. Sean Regan's seven-year-old seems sure to be in the firing-line again while The Quantum Kid got off the mark at Southwell on his latest start and could find a little further improvement. It's fair to say the former Sir Michael Stoute-trained KENSINGTON OVAL, a full brother to the top-class stayer Ask, has never really realised his potential but he showed what he was capable of when winning over this C&D in October. This is the first time the six-year-old has raced on fast ground over timber and it may just be worth risking his fitness against largely exposed rivals.
Shalamiyr (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Led until 4th, reminders after 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Anquetta (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Gordy Bee (USA) 6-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, hit 3rd, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, soon bumped as a result of winner trying to get up inside line, headed approaching 2 out, soon last and well held, last of 4, 21l behind Minneapolis (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Kensington Oval 9-4fav (10-10) Close up on outside, chased winner 3 out, every chance until lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 28l behind Viscount Rossini (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Nov.
The Quantum Kid 8-1 (11-3) Made all, ridden and pressed before last, kept on under pressure flat, driven out, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating The Tiddly Tadpole (10-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ten Pole Tudor 12-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 3 out, lost 2nd and outpaced before 2 out, 4th of 5, 18l behind Aine's Delight (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) fm.
Meridiem 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon chased leaders, kept on from last to chase winner, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Erdeli (11-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Three Boars 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, last of 10, 37l behind Amuse Me (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
