held up in touch, tracked leaders, 3rd until 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened approaching 3 out
led at steady pace, pecked 12th, headed next with winner until 3 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, left 2nd, kept on same pace
prominent, disputed 4th until 7th, led 13th, clear at 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up flat readily
in touch , reminders after 13th, ridden after 4 out, one pace
held up, mistakes 3rd and 6th, hit 14th, headway next, hit 3 out, soon ridden, jumped left neck, took 2nd after last, stayed on but no impression on winner flat
held up, not fluent 8th, ridden at 15th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, 2nd when slipped badly next, not recover
The feature race on the card can go to the potentially top-class Kingscliff ahead of Haut Cercy, Marlborough and Cyfor Malta. Winner of the Foxhunter at the Festival in March, Kingscliff is a very exciting addition to the regulation ranks this term, and is already being talked of as a Gold Cup hope after his impressive return at Ascot three weeks ago. Overcoming a broken rein at the third fence, he and Andrew Thornton went on to beat Hours, last year's Tripleprint winner, by 17 lengths, with Exit To Wave back in third. The latter has a massive weight pull but even so has it to do with Kingsmark who has yet to be tested in his career. Haut Cercy was taken out of the Hennessey due to the rain-softened ground but by all accounts was ready and fit. He ran a blinder here in the William Hill Handicap Chase when second to Youlneverwalkalone, is on a fair mark, and comes from the Henry Daly stable that collected this race a few years ago with Star Traveller. Marlborough has been a class act in his time but surely has little mileage left in the tank, a comment that might be suitable for Cyfor Malta as well. With Peter Bowen in such great form, Take The Stand might perform above himself, but all in all, this should be another stepping stone to stardom for Kingscliff who gets a solid vote.
