held up, pushed along approaching 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway approaching 5 out to chase leaders, half a length down in 3rd when left in lead after last, driven out
led, half a length up when fell last
held up in rear, weakened from 4 out
soon tracking leader, challenged approaching last, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
The market should tell us plenty on this occasion and ROYAL MACKINTOSH is the percentage call in the absence of it but First Look and Minster Shadow rated as strong players on our shortlist. Hailing from a relatively unfashionable stable, Royal Mackintosh has perhaps been allowed to go off at bigger prices in the past than his form has entitled. A dour stayer who is capable of showing his form on today's surface, he comprehensively outpointed Ballyvoge at Carlisle last month. First Look ran in a much hotter contest that this when finishing behind Akilak. Nevertheless, it was an encouraging display for the majority of the contest. Minster Shadow is the big questionmark horse. Chris Grant's charge is returning from a year off though was in fair nick before his season came to a premature close. Silly Wupple is always respected in company such as this though backers have to leave behind a poor run at Leicester. Morgan Be is respected as a course-and-distance scorer but again has to come back from a moderate effort last time out. Silver By Nature has ran well previously at this course so is watched at longer odds. Royal Mackintosh gets our vote.
First Look (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Prominent, effort and every chance 4 out, kept on until ridden, no extra approaching last, 6th of 12, 11l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Minster Shadow Evensfav (11-4) Held up in touch, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Carlisle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Truckers Lady (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Silly Wupple 9-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 4out, tailed up when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Dream Garden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Morgan Be 3-1fav (11-9) In rear, headway 5 out, blundered next, led when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 12l behind Zitenka (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Silver By Nature 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 5 out soon lost place, 4th of 6, 22l behind Will Be Done (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Master Builder (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders 9th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 32l behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Royal Mackintosh 13-8fav (10-13) Prominent, challenged 4 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating Ballyvoge (11-11) by 11l, 7 ran.
Silver Sedge (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) In rear, chased leaders after 5 out, weakened from next, 6th of 13, 39l behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
