tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, effort approaching 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, one pace under pressure
tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened 4 out
led, soon clear, headed 6th, weakened quickly approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, until no extra approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and effort 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure
in touch, ridden after 4 out, effort 3 out, kept on same pace
always behind
mid-division, headway after 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden 2 out, edged left and held on well flat
always behind
King's Head is the stand out horse in this competitive contest and can land the odds. The race for the places is wide open but Marsam and The Duke's Speech are two that should go well. The selection was rated in the high nineties on the Flat but his initial forays over hurdles were disappointing to say the least. That all changed last time though as he justified sustained support to win at Huntingdon. He treated a competitive field with disdain that day and is due to race from a 4lb higher mark in future. He's going the other way round today but the track is similar in other respects and he should be hard to beat if in the same mood. The Duke's Speech usually runs well here and is feasibly treated whilst Marsam is back competing at a realistic level and makes our short-list. Modicum is another to have shown form at this track and is still on an upward curve and is rated 5lbs lower than over fences but 9lbs higher than when last winning over hurdles. Moon Star has a decent strike rate and may not be anchored by an 8lb higher mark whilst Double Vodka is also of interest back at his optimum trip. A good race but it's hard to get away from King's Head.
Modicum (USA) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Tidal Bay (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 24, 9l behind Bambootcha (9-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Moon Star (GER) 7-2fav (11-5) Always prominent, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, in command flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Supsonic (10-7) by 3l, 12 ran.
Double Vodka (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Mid-division, chased leading pair from 3 out, one pace untill weakened flat, 4th of 10, 29l behind Overserved (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Marsam (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Led, soon clear, mistake 3rd, came back to field 4th, headed next, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Pierrot Lunaire (10-8) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Wise Owl 16-1 (10-11) Held up, slightly checked after 3 out, soon switched wide, headway approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 19, 6l behind Katies Tuitor (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Iffy 14-1 (10-12) Held up, slightly checked after 3 out, headway after 2 out, beaten approaching last, 12th of 19, 12l behind Katies Tuitor (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Pilca (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up, bumped 5th, headway approaching 6th, no impression on leaders when hampered 2 out, 6th of 12, 15l behind Moon Star (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Soubriquet (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened from next, 9th of 15, 14l behind Little Bob (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Day To Remember 12-1 (10-11) Held up, mistake and reminders 3rd, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 10, 19l behind Lord Baskerville (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
Kickahead (USA) 8-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, held up in rear, blundered 5th, headway and staying on when fell 2 out in race won by Moon Star (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs, 12 ran.
King's Head (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway after 5th, led 2 out, ridden and well in command when edged left flat, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf beating Morning Farewell (11-0) by 8l, 17 ran.
The Rocking Dock (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Carrietau (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Apr.
Just Intersky (USA) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 14, 21l behind Kingscape (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
