held up in rear, ridden last and good headway, stayed on strongly flat, nearest finish
held up in rear, headway 2 out, ridden last, stayed on flat
prominent, ridden 5th, soon weakened
prominent and keen, weakened after last
led to 1st, remained close up, led 3 out, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, one pace from last
held up, ridden after 3 out, one pace
unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
led after 1st, headed 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on towards finish
The ground is the key here and although Countback carries another 7lb penalty he certainly appreciates cut and can complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Telegonus, while Mycenean Prince may be capable of making the frame. The selection looks pretty obvious and his credentials are underlined given that he is in form, his yard continues to go well, and he is the only one in the entire line up that truly relishes this much juice in the ground. On all we can see in front of us he has to be the choice and in truth he is a confident one. Telegonus has yet to convince on soft ground but showed a bit more when last seen out in a Chester claimer with cut underfoot, and from very shrewd connections he cannot be ruled out given that his sire Fantastic Light did act on the surface. Mycenean Prince is by Swain, who won on bottomless ground himself, though he has amlost exclusively been campaigned on fast ground thus far. Timmy Murphy will give him plenty of time to get involved and he that could pay dividends come the business end. Recent runners up Mulligan's Pride and Sportula would both have claims if acting on the ground, but their CVs suggest that they won't and they are opposed in favour of the hat-trick seeking Countback.
Countback (FR) 13-2 (10-9) Held up and behind, headway from last, went 2nd 1f out, cajoled ahead to lead towards finish, cleverly, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs beating Too Posh To Share (9-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Seattle Robber 18-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 9th of 13, 46l behind Northern Alliance (11-7) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Andijan (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Towards rear, keen early, ridden 2 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 9l behind Tarkani (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Mad Professor (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) A.p; led aft 11;, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Young Rocky (12-0) at Kingston Blount 2m 4f ptp gd in May.
Telegonus 10-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led briefly 5th, weakened next, 4th of 6, well behind Phoenix Eye (10-1) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 6l behind In Dream's (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Sportula 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Princess of Aeneas (10-8) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd in May.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, lost place from 5th, soon beaten, 11th of 13, well behind Northern Alliance (11-7) at Perth 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
