took keen hold, mid-division, headway 5th, led after 8th, ridden and headed after 10th, mistake 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up and keen, headway approaching 3rd, lost place 7th, hit 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, headway after 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
always behind
held up, hit 2nd and 4th, headway 10th, went 2nd 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
never going well, always behind
led, mistake 1st, headed after 8th, ridden approaching 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent until blundered 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, led after 10th, clear 2 out, comfortably
prominent until blundered 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Making it onto the short list here are Present M'Lord, Patman du Charmil and Tora Bora, with the vote going to Present M'Lord. Overall, this is a race that lacks strength in depth and any semblance of support for the Robert Alner-trained Present M'Lord would have to be viewed favourably. Patman du Charmil at least showed ability over hurdles, so he could rate as a big danger, as could Tora Bora, who earned a rating in the 120s as a lightly-raced hurdler. The latter is trained by Brendan Powell, and he also runs Wembury Point, who has shown enough over hurdles to be rated a player today. First Tee is a brother to Very Optimistic and, even though he did not display a lot of promise on his jumping debut, has to be considered here. Finally, Predicament gets a mention courtesy of his second here three runs ago over a slightly longer trip. Overall, though - and unless the market says something different - we will side with Present M'Lord.
