keen tracked leader until 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, slightly outpaced 7th, rallied 3 out, headway approaching last, ridden to lead flat, ran on
led, headed 4 out, ridden to press leader 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, chased leader 8th, led next, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on one pace
close up, headway 7th, ridden next, weakened 2 out
Blackwater King concedes weight all round and has yet to get off the mark over fences - there are also question marks about his attitude. He's consistent enough but SUDSKI STAR makes greater appeal. He's been in excellent form in winning his last two starts at Kelso and Hexham and, despite being raised a stone for those two victories, the Irish raider looks more than capable of completing the three-timer. Islandmagee could emerge as the prime threat to the selection as he's progressed pleasingly in four chase starts to date and should certainly be winning soon.
Blackwater King (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 4 out, clear next, ridden before 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Baileys Concerto (10-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Sudski Star (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, led last, ridden clear, ran on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Apr beating Pamak D'airy (11-9) by 5l, 5 ran.
Islandmagee (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Led, hit 1h, clear next, left in 7 lengths lead 4 out, ridden and reduced lead before last, no extra and headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Tokyo Javilex (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Faustina Pius (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, some headway under pressure after 4 out, weakened from next, last of 6, well behind Flying Phoenix (10-13) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Katie's Massini (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place before 6th, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 7th of 16, 5l behind Exit To Freedom (9-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f (5) gs in Apr.
