held up, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
took keen hold, raced wide, led 2nd, headed 6th, quickened to lead again 3 out, ran on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden last, kept on flat, not pace of winner
led to 2nd, tracked winner, led again 6th, blundered and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 4 out, behind when wandered approaching next, pulled up before 2 out
behind, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
Our vote here goes to Patriarch Express ahead of Monolith and Noshinannikin. Monolith has kept on improving over hurdles but, now rated 130, faces his biggest test to date. Patriarch Express did very well in very good company as a novice last season, including when fifth behind Accipiter at Aintree, and given that he can run well fresh, ought to go well here. Noshinannikin is also on the upgrade but it will be interesting to see how he copes with a seven-pound rise for a Wincanton success. Powder Creek won twice here as a novice but this is tougher from his new mark, while Celtic Blaze looks up against it. Running all of that through the mix and we opt for Patriarch Express.
