raced keen, tracked winner, ridden approaching two out, always held
made all, quickened 3 out, soon clear, comfortably
raced towards rear, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, slight mistake 2nd, driven after 4, ridden next, left 3rd 2 out, soon one pace
always chasing leading group, effort approaching 2 out, no impression
soon behind from 4th, tailed off
mid-division and keen, effort approaching 5th, ridden to challenging for 2nd when fell 2 out
Martin Pipe is double-handed here with Maragun and Murray River. The latter has the assistance of Tony McCoy and despite topweight can be fancied on his narrow defeat by Gin Palace at Newbury. That came after an absence of 834 days, and there was no disgrace in his next effort when upped in class behind Patriot Games at Aintree. Gary Moore saddles Porak, but his team seem to be past their purple patch now, while Ashton Vale has a job on against his older rivals. Silk Trader scored at Sandown when foiling the odds-on Claude Greengrass, but faces totally different ground conditions, and is passed over as well. The danger to Murray River is Castleshane who has been kept fit on the level recently. On his best form over hurdles, Steve Gollings' charge has a major chance, but we feel that Murray River is open to plenty of improvement and is the one to be on.
